SL vs ENG: Moeen Ali tests positive for Covid-19, to miss first Test match

Moeen Ali has tested positive for covid-19 after his arrival in Sri Lanka and will be placed under isolation for ten days. Chris Woakes, who was known to be in close contact with Ali, has also been placed under quarantine. The positive result came from the PCR Test conducted on Sunday at the Hambantota airport. […]
 
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SL vs ENG: Moeen Ali tests positive for Covid-19, to miss first Test match

Moeen Ali has tested positive for covid-19 after his arrival in Sri Lanka and will be placed under isolation for ten days. Chris Woakes, who was known to be in close contact with Ali, has also been placed under quarantine.

The positive result came from the PCR Test conducted on Sunday at the Hambantota airport. According to Sri Lanka Cricket rules, Moeen Ali will have to quarantine himself for ten days, that ends on January 13. He is almost certain to miss the first Test match on January 14.

It is the first confirmed case that England have had after the resumption of international cricket. More than 10,000 tests came back negative during the home season, although two members tested positive during the South African tour.

Moeen’s management team released a series of tweets after the announcement was made. “Moeen is well and has taken all the relevant precautions but it just goes to show that this virus can strike at any time,” one of the tweets read.

Also Read: Australia Pacer James Pattinson Ruled Out Of Sydney Test

SL vs ENG: Moeen Ali tests positive for Covid-19, to miss first Test match

The fear among the English camp must be that the virus could have spread to other members on the plane. All the players and members were on the same 11 hour flight to Sri Lanka and then travelled to their hotel in Hambantota by bus.

Moeen Ali will be transferred from Hambantota to Galle on Tuesday which is the venue for the second Test match, after the whole England squad have undergone a second round of PCR testing. Ali’s absence for the first Test leaves England with just two spinning options, Dom Bess and Jack Leach, in their squad. Woakes may also miss out on the first Test match, but England will enough fast bowling options in their squad.