ZCZC
BSP-06
CRICKET-SRI-ENG-HEALTH-VIRUS
England pass coronavirus tests in Sri Lanka after Moeen blow
COLOMBO, Jan 6, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The England cricket team all passed
coronavirus tests after all-rounder Moeen Ali was found to have Covid-19 and
have been cleared to start restricted training in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, a
spokesman said.
Moeen was found to have the coronavirus shortly after the squad arrived in
Sri Lanka on Sunday and has been put in isolation in a hotel away from the
other players.
The result was an early blow to preparations for the two Tests in Sri
Lanka that start in Galle on January 14. But the plans in the secure bubble
in Hambantota in the south of the island are now largely back on track.
“Good news from the camp all PCR tests from yesterday are negative except
for Moeen Ali, and we can start controlled training this afternoon,” said an
England spokesman.
Chris Woakes, who had been a close contact of Moeen, tested negative but
will continue to isolate in his room. The tourists must undergo a third test
on Thursday.
Sri Lanka have just finished a tour in South Africa where they lost two
Tests and are due to return home on Friday. They will also have to go into a
biosecure bubble.
Joe Root and his players arrived on a charter flight as nearly all
international flights to Sri Lanka are banned and flights from Britain have
been halted following the discovery of a new, more infectious coronavirus
strain.
The 18-man England squad, with seven reserves, are resuming a Sri Lanka
tour halted by the pandemic in March. England’s tour of South Africa was also
cut short last month over coronavirus fears.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1147 hrs