Moeen Ali looks almost certain to be unavailable again when England face Sri Lanka in the second Test at Galle on Friday as he recovers from coronavirus.
Moeen was released from quarantine on Saturday, 13 days after recording a positive Covid-19 test on arrival in Sri Lanka.
In his absence, England won the first Test with their spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach sharing 14 wickets, but Moeen’s experience – he has 181 Test scalps – was missed.
But, after so long in isolation, Moeen looks set to lose his race against time to play the second match, which is also in Galle.
He will have to wait for the India series next month, with England naming their squad for that series in the coming days.
As they manage their resources, England will make changes for the second Test against Sri Lanka, however.
James Anderson will come in for Stuart Broad, while Olly Stone and Chris Woakes could replace Mark Wood, or both could come in with Sam Curran dropping out too.
