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England's Ashes preparations are already hampered by the cancellation of their fifth Test against India earlier in September
Scott Morrison, the Australian Prime Minister, says there will not be any "special deals" after Boris Johnson requested that families of England cricketers be allowed to travel to Australia for the Ashes.
The first Test will begin on 8 December, but players from England are considering withdrawing due to Australia's strict Covid-19 travel protocol.
Once 80% of adults have been vaccinated, the country will relax its restrictions.
Morrison claims that this figure will rise to 50% by the end of this week.
The issue was discussed at a Washington dinner by Johnson, the UK Prime Minister, and Morrison.
Morrison stated, "I would love to see Ashes go ahead. As I shared with Boris last evening." External-link
"But there are no special deals because we want vaccinated people to be able to travel.
"I don’t see much difference in skilled workers and students who can come to Australia once you reach those vaccination rates.
"Those who come for the purpose of playing cricket are not different from someone coming to study or as a skilled engineer."
Johnson stated that he had raised the issue and said that he would do his best to help the families. Johnson merely promised to return and see if he could solve the problem.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), is waiting for details from Cricket Australia about how the series will be played - including quarantine arrangements and provisions for families and if players will need to live in a bubble' environment – this week.
The information will be then presented to England players who will decide individually if they will participate in Ashes before the squad is announced in October's first week.
Even if Australia changes its travel restrictions, some states may not allow entry to Australia for as long as they want. This could complicate the tour since the five Tests are held in five states.
The dates of the five Tests, which will take place between 8 and 18 December, are not at risk, but venues may be changed depending on restrictions in travel from one state to another.
