England’s preparations for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia took another hit on Sunday after one of their net bowlers tested positive for COVD-19, leading to cancellation of their training session with other net bowlers deemed as close contacts.

The fourth Test is scheduled to start on January 5. Earlier in the week, members of the England set-up had cleared a round of COVID-19 testing just before Day Two of the Ashes Test at the MCG after two from their support staff and two from their families returned positive for the virus.