Nasser Hussain has slammed Australia captain Tim Paine for showing a lack of empathy towards England 's players over their Ashes concerns.
The tour remains in doubt, with Australia having some of the most strict coronavirus protocol in the world and players concerned about 'bubble fatigue', not being able to see their families and quarantine arrangements.
The ECB have confirmed that a decision will be made about the series later this week, stating: "The board will decide whether the conditions are sufficient for the tour to go ahead and enable the selection of a squad befitting a series of this significance."
Speaking last week, Paine insisted: "The Ashes are going ahead. The first Test is on December 8 - whether Joe [Root] is here or not.
"It'll be worked out above us and then they'll have a choice whether to get on that plane or not.
"No one is forcing any England player to come. That's the beauty of the world we live in - you have a choice. If you don't want to come, don't come."
Responding to Paine's comments in his latest Daily Mail column, Hussain said: "When Tim Paine, Australia's Test captain, spoke recently I didn't hear much empathy from a fellow professional.
"Now others have jumped on the Ashes bandwagon, as if England are somehow trying to dodge an important series.
"I get all the arguments. Yes, England's Test players are paid handsomely. Yes, representing your country, particularly in an away Ashes, is the highest honour there is for a professional cricketer. Yes, some of the players have chosen to add to their own burden by taking part in overseas T20 tournaments such as the IPL.
"I understand all that. But unless you've spent time in a bubble — and some of these guys have done it repeatedly — you don't get to lecture other people on how they should behave."
Hussain also recalled the "honest conversations" he had to have with players about touring India in the wake of 9/11, with Robert Croft and Andy Caddick ultimately pulling out of the trip.
"I respected that," Hussain added. "I also knew they would not have been much use to us in India if their minds weren't fully on the job.
"That's why I don't like these easy judgments from the other side of the world. If the last 18 months have taught us anything, surely it's the importance of empathy."
