England head coach Chris Silverwood expressed his optimistic views regarding the services of wicket-keeper Ollie Pope and all-rounder Moeen Ali. Both the players could not take part in the Test series against Sri Lanka as Ali had tested positive for coronavirus after arriving in Sri Lanka while Pope was recovering from an injury.
“I’m hoping Ollie will be able to throw his hat in the ring for that first Test. The sooner we can get him back the better it is for us,” Silverwood told ESPNcricinfo.
Moen completed his extended isolation on January 16 and joined his teammates in Galle. The England cricket team arrived in Chennai on Wednesday and will be quarantined for six days.
“Moeen should be available for the first Test, too. He’s been through everything he needs to go through and is progressing nicely,” said Silverwood.
England squad for first two Tests against India: Joe Root (Yorkshire) (captain), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Dom Bess (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).
