England all-rounder Moeen Ali has been tested positive for covid-19 upon his arrival in Sri Lanka. The PCR tests were conducted for all the England players just after they landed in Hambantota in Sri Lanka on Sunday. As per this latest development, Moeen will now observe a 10-day self-isolation period until 13th January.
As per ECB media release, Chris Woakes has been considered as a possible close contact of Moeen. Even though, Woakes returned a negative in the PCR tests on Sunday, he will also be in self-isolation for a period of seven days. Based on further test results, Woakes would be allowed to participate in England’s practice games and the Test series against Sri Lanka.
England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) official press release:
“Following PCR tests administered on arrival at the airport in Hambantota on Sunday 3rd January, The England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that Moeen Ali has tested positive for COVID-19. Ali will now observe a period of 10-days self-isolation, in accordance with the Sri Lanka Government’s protocol on quarantine.”
“Chris Woakes has been deemed as a possible close contact, and he will observe a period of self-isolation and further testing. The touring party will be PCR tested for a second time on Tuesday morning. At this stage, the team will train for the first time on Wednesday.”
A 10-day self-isolation for Moeen meant that he will only joining the rest of the squad on Jan 13th, a day ahead of the first Test match of the tour in Galle. It is highly unlikely that Moeen will feature in the first Test match and that leaves only Dominic Bess and Jack Leach as the frontline spinners in the England squad for the first Test match.
Meanwhile, England won’t miss Woakes much in their playing XI for the first Test as Sri Lankan pitches aide seamers very little! Except Moeen, rest of the England squad returned negative on tests conducted on Sunday. The second round of PCR tests will be conducted on Tuesday (Jan 05) in Hambantota and will be allowed to train from Wednesday. The England squad would move to Galle on Jan 10th where both the Test matches (Jan 14-18, Jan 22-26) in this tour will be played!
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