'Call it off': Cricket greats rage over 'unacceptable' Ashes farce

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has ripped into reports that the English players' families could be without their families for numerous weeks during the Ashes Tour later this year.

England is due to arrive in Australia ahead of the December 8 Ashes opener in Brisbane, which will last to the fifth Test that starts January 18 in Perth.

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This would be at the end of a long campaign for England, which involves two T20 Tours before the World Cup held in India in October.

But due to Australia's current border measures during Covid-19, players' families might be restricted from coming into Australia.

According to reports, Cricket Australia (CA) is attempting to negotiate with the Australian Government to help bring over family members of the England cricket team.

This would be arranged via a chartered flight with special clearance.

But the reports struck a nerve with Vaughan.

The former England Test captain took to Twitter to claim the Tour should be off if families aren't able to accompany the players on the long away trip.

"Read reports today that England cricketers may not be able to have family members with them down under this winter," he wrote on Twitter.

"Quite simply if they can’t they should call the Ashes off .. 4 months away from your family is totally unacceptable."

Kevin Pietersen backs England players

England great Kevin Pietersen was another player to weigh-in on the brewing controversy.

Piertersen said he would back any England player unwilling to take part in Ashes if this meant being a away from their family for an extended period of time during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Any ENG player that pulls out of this Ashes, if they seriously can’t see their families for FOUR MONTHS, has my full backing," he wrote on Twitter, with an emoji of the middle finger.

"Families are the most important part of a players make up. And even more so in the current climate! FOUR MONTHS with no family on Ashes Tour?"

But CA is confident the deal will be struck with plenty of time ahead of the Ashes.

India toured Australia with a number of family members accompanying players during the series.

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