England Tour Of Sri Lanka: England All-Rounder Moeen Ali Tests Positive For Covid-19
Moeen Ali will enter a self-isolation period of 10 days while all-rounder Chris Woakes, who has been deemed as close contact to Ali, will also undergo self-isolation, the ECB said on Monday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board, on Monday, confirmed that the veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali has tested positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Hambantota.
Moeen Ali is a part of England’s Test squad that arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday. The all-rounder along with rest of the touring side underwent an RT-PCR test but was the only player to return positive.
“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,” the ECB said in a release.
Chris Woakes Deemed Possible Close Contact
The ECB, in its media release, also said that Moeen Ali will now isolate himself for 10 days as per Sri Lankan Government’s Covid protocols. Apart from Ali, one more England player Chris Woakes has been deemed to be a possible close contact and will also observe self-isolation till further testing.
“Ali will now observe a period of 10-days self-isolation, in accordance with the Sri Lanka Government’s protocol on quarantine,” the ECB said in its release.
“Chris Woakes has been deemed as a possible close contact, and he will observe a period of self-isolation and further testing,” it added.
The entire touring side will be PCR tested for the 2nd time in Sri Lanka on Tuesday morning. England is scheduled to have their first training session on Wednesday.
“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,” the ECB stated in its release.
The first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, who are currently in South Africa will begin on January 14, exactly 10 days from now, while the second Test will be played from January 22-26.
The England team is expected to depart to India following the 2nd Tests in Sri Lanka for a 4-Test series against India. The 4 Tests will be played from February 5 to March 8 in Chennai and Ahmedabad.