Australia Test captain Tim Paine said that the Ashes will go ahead with or without Joe Root after the England skipper refused to commit until there was more clarity around coronavirus quarantine rules.
Cricket Australia is negotiating with Canberra and their English counterparts over what type of biosecurity bubble players may have to endure Down Under and whether their families can come.
Root, who has two young children, said this week he was "desperate" to play the five-Test series, but added: "I feel it's so hard to make a definite decision until you know."
England vice-captain Jos Buttler is also reticent, insisting he will not be on the plane if his family are unable to join him due to tough Australian border restrictions.
Paine, who is recovering from neck surgery, said he was certain that the series, which is due to start in Brisbane, will happen no matter what.
"Well, the Ashes are going ahead - the first Test is on December 8 whether Joe's here or not," he told SEN sports radio.
"They all want to come, there's no doubt about it," he added, suggesting some of the comments from England players were posturing.
Ben Stokes' heroic Leeds century
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England's Ben Stokes and Jack Leach celebrate after Stokes scored the winning runs on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds. England beat Australia by one wicket. AFP -
Australia's Marcus Harris cannot take a catch to dismiss England's Ben Stokes. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes celebrates winning the Test match at Headingley against Australia. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes and Jack Leach celebrate after Stokes scored the winning runs on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley in Leeds. England beat Australia by one wicket. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes is hit on the helmet by a ball from one of Australia's bowlers. He went on to score 135 not out to steer England to a one-wicket win. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes reacts after England won the third Ashes cricket Test. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes celebrates hitting the winning runs on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes celebrates as his unbeaten 135 saw England home to a one-wicket win over Australia. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes watches on as Australia's Ben Cummings bowls to Jack Leach. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes celebrates as his unbeaten 135 saw England home to a one-wicket win over Australia. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes hits a six on his way to an unbeaten 135 against Australia as England won the third Ashes Test at Headingley to level the series at 1-1 with two to play. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes turns for a second run. AFP -
Australia's Nathan Lyon appeals against England on Day 4 at Headingley. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. Reuters -
Australia's Pat Cummins bowls on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test against England. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes in action taking the game to the Australia attack. Reuters -
Australia's Nathan Lyon in action. Reuters -
Australia's James Pattinson celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Stuart Broad. Reuters -
Australia's David Warner celebrates taking the wicket of England captain Joe Root for 77 runs. AFP -
Australia's David Warner takes a catch from Nathan Lyon's bowling to dismiss England's Joe Root. Reuters -
England's captain Joe Root walks back to the pavilion. AFP -
England's Jonny Bairstow is caught playing this shot off the bowling of Australia's Josh Hazlewood. AFP -
England's Jonny Bairstow walks back to the pavilion. AFP -
England's Ben Stokes gestures before Jos Buttler is run out. AFP -
Australia's Travis Head catches out England's Jofra Archer Action on the boundary. Reuters -
Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking the wicket of England's Chris Woakes. Reuters -
Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow. AFP -
Australia's Josh Hazlewood in action. Reuters -
England's Ben Stokes (L) and England's Jack Leach celebrates after winning on the fourth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on August 25, 2019. England beat Australia by one wicket to win epic third Test. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB / AFP / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB
"They're trying to get themselves the best possible conditions they can, but at the end of the day, we all are.
"It will be worked out above us and then they'll make a decision whether or not they'll get on that plane," he added.
"There will be a squad of England players coming here for the first Test on December 8th."
The tour is scheduled to head to Adelaide after Brisbane, then Melbourne and Sydney, before concluding in Perth.
But the Perth fixture is under a cloud, given Western Australia requires inter-state visitors to quarantine for 14 days on arrival, a scenario that appears unlikely to change in the near term.
Paine has been pressing for the game to be shifted to Hobart in Tasmania, his home state, although holding back-to-back Tests in Sydney appears a more likely option.
