England all-rounder Moeen Ali has tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival in Sri Lanka. Moeen Ali will now observe 10 days of self-isolation. Chris Woakes will also enter self-isolation having been considered a possible close contact with Ali. England landed in Sri Lanka on Sunday ahead of their two-match Test series the entire team was tested on arrival.
Moeen Ali was detected coronavirus positive and will now be in isolation for the next 10 days. The all-rounder is now likely to miss the opening Test of the series which starts on January 14. As of now, the England team is based in Hambantota, but are due to move to Galle ahead of the first Test. As far as Ali is concerned will now be moved to new accommodation in Galle on Tuesday.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali tested COVID-19 Positive
The news of Ali being COVID-19 positive is a major blow to England, as he was expected to play a key role in the Test series. The Test series between the two nations was originally scheduled to be played in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 score. Now the series will take place in January after which England will fly to India to play a full-fledged tour.
Meanwhile, as per ESPNCricinfo, ECB spokesperson said that it was “too early to confirm” whether Ali could play in the first Test but with his self-isolation ending the day before the match, it appears certain that he will miss it.
Chris Woakes was apparently in close contact with Ali and he too will stay in isolation where he will be tested further. The visitors were due to start training on Tuesday afternoon after another round of COVID-19 tests in the morning but are now due to training on Wednesday.
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“They are decisions that have to be made by the medical staff and the people entrusted in making those decisions. I don’t think it’s a player decision, even though guys have the opportunity to opt-out if they don’t feel safe”, England captain Joe Root had said before landing in Sri Lanka.
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