Negotiations over COVID-19-related travel and movement restrictions English players and their families will face have dominated the build-up to the five-Test series.

It had been claimed that as many as 10 England players were considering opting out of the Ashes, amid fears players' families would have to isolate for 14 days upon arrival in Australia if able to travel, and concern that England players also taking part in the T20 World Cup would be away from home for fourth months.

However, the ECB has announced a 17-player squad which has not been hit by any coronavrius-related withdrawals.

It comes after the ECB on Friday (October 8) approved the tour, "subject to several critical conditions being met before we travel".

Star batsman Joe Root will captain the men's side, while veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad lead a bowling attack supplemented by unproven spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess.

Ben Stokes is absent, but has been for several months as he is taking a break from cricket for personal reasons, while while Jofra Archer and Sam Curran are the other big-name absentees but both miss out through injury.

All 17 players have Test caps already.

The first Test begins in Brisbane on December 8, with the Gabba - set to be a key venue for the 2032 Olympics - hosting the match.

Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth are due to host the next four Tests in that order, with the series due to conclude on or by January 18.

It remains to be seen how many spectators are allowed at each venue and how easily the teams are able to cross state lines, with areas of Australia subject to greatly differing COVID-19 restrictions at present.

The Women's Ashes - a hybrid of Tests, 50-over matches and T20s - is due to begin later that month.