Joe Root's century puts England in command against Sri Lanka

It remains unlikely Sri Lanka will be able to get into a winning position, but with the potential for rain in Galle ever-present, they will be buoyed in their bid to save the test.

Two employees in England's team hotel, The Lighthouse, have tested positive for Covid-19, but England, who left their limited overs tour of South Africa early due to Covid-19 concerns before Christmas, have no qualms about continuing with the tour.

The next round of tests is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 19, though it is possible that they will be brought forward in light of this development.

As for the ongoing first Test, Sri Lanka had won the toss and opted to bat. The players respect social distancing, wear masks in indoor settings and at the hotel dine on individual tables.

"We are the most compliant team in world cricket".

"We are not concerned". He is responsible for ensuring we meet the highest of standards across our Covid protocols.

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Again we lose the man in the corner. "I'm happy that we are still very hungry and very ambitious and we want to do well". It's an area but at the same time I see a team that is growing and can cause many teams problems.

"We are being vigilant around our team base in Galle and at the stadium. Will try and take that forward into the rest of this winter tour and beyond".

Despite England's success in the opening days of the series, for one man it has been a miserable tour to date.

England's all-rounder Moeen Ali is infected with the new United Kingdom variant of the coronavirus, Sri Lankan authorities have said Wednesday after the cricketer tested positive for Covid-19 on his arrival in the country 10 days ago, AFP reported.

Local rules originally dictated that he spend 10 days in isolation but that was subsequently extended at the request of local authorities after Moeen exhibited mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus. Deputy Chief Epidemiologist Hemantha Herath told reporters in Colombo that the 33-year-old England all-rounder was Sri Lanka's first case of the United Kingdom strain, which is believed to be more transmissible.

Meanwhile, England remain unconcerned about a small outbreak of Covid-19 among workers at the team's hotel.

It leaves England a spinner short for a contest which is expected to be determined by a turning wicket as Sri Lanka host a home series for only the second time in more than two years. "We have yet to be given a date of when this will be", said the European Central Bank spokesperson.