Moeen Ali set to miss England’s entire Test series against Sri Lanka

England all-rounder Moeen Ali is set to be unavailable for both of England’s Test Matches against Sri Lanka this month after his time in isolation was extended at the request of the Sri Lankan authorities.

The 33-year-old has been in isolation ever since he arrived in the country with his England teammates and staff, following a positive Covid-19 test which has seen him continue to be in quarantine.

The Worcestershire captain was due to come out of that today but it has been agreed between two sides that he will remain in there for a little longer, until Friday at the very earliest.

Whilst the second match of the series doesn’t begin until January 22, England will be very careful with Ali as he tries to rebuild his fitness following his positive test and with a lot of cricket to be played this year, it would be sensible for visitors’ staff to not take any risks.

The India series follows not long after the cricket in Sri Lanka is done so that represents a more realistic time for Ali to make his return to the side.

It will come as a frustration to England though, with Ali being the joint-highest wicket taker on the previous visit to Sri Lanka and with the tourists already resting Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer for the series, it will be a chance for Jack Leach and Dom Bess to pair up in the spin department again – having done so well for Somerset for several years.

Ali hasn’t played for England in the longest form of the game since the first Ashes Test Match at Birmingham in 2019 so it will come as a huge blow for the Birmingham based player to miss out on some cricket in spin-friendly conditions.

If England want to add a third spinning option they could turn to Matt Parkinson, Mason Crane or Amir Virdi, of who are on the standby list although England are yet to reveal if they will call one of them up.

The two-match series begins in Galle on Thursday morning.

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