England were able to name their strongest available squad for the Ashes tour to Australia on Sunday as their stars committed to the trip after Covid-19 quarantine fears. The Ashes tour had been the subject of tense negotiations after England’s players and their families expressed concerns over tough Covid quarantine restrictions in Australia.

England Test captain Joe Root and vice-captain Jos Buttler both hinted they might not travel if their fears were not eased. But ECB on Friday said they had given conditional approval for the tour to go ahead.