Australian star Tahlia McGrath is playing in the Commonwealth Games cricket final despite testing positive for Covid-19 just hours before the start of the game.
McGrath developed mild symptoms the morning before the match and later tested positive after speaking to Australian team officials.
Australia’s Commonwealth Games team said full protocols have been put in place. McGrath was seen wearing a face mask and isolated himself from the rest of his teammates as Australia batted in the first innings.
He had taken off his mask as he went out to bat.
Her innings lasted just four balls and she was dismissed for just two runs when Radha Yadav took a catch.
However, she started to make an impact in India’s innings when she got under a high ball and took a fine catch, only for all her teammates to retire unable to celebrate with her. McGrath’s catch left India 2/22 as Shafali Verma fell for 11 runs.
Australia managed to reach 8/161 at the end of their 20 overs, giving India a total of 162 to chase.
Reports in India claim that the Indian team was only informed about McGrath’s positive before the coin toss, leading to a delay in the start of play of more than 10 minutes.
It has also been reported that India wanted McGrath dropped for the game when they were first informed.
McGrath was absent from the lineups when the teams sang the national anthems, News Corp Australia reports
The Aussie Commonwealth Games team announced that the decision to allow McGrath to play was made in consultation with the ICC and Australian medical staff.
“Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) can confirm that cricketer Tahlia McGrath has tested positive for Covid-19,” the CGA statement said.
“CGA clinical staff have consulted with the Commonwealth Games Federation RACEG (Results Analysis Clinical Expert Group) team and match officials, and McGrath is involved in today’s final against India.
“McGrath reported to team management on Sunday with mild symptoms and later returned a positive test. She was named in the starting XI for the draw and the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved her participation in the end
“In consultation with the CGF and the ICC, the CGA and Cricket Australia medical staff have implemented a comprehensive set of protocols that will be observed throughout the game and for post-match activity, to minimize the risk of transmission to all players and officials.
The CGA has maintained a comprehensive Covid-19 risk mitigation strategy for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with testing protocols beyond those required by the Birmingham 2022 Organizing Committee.”
Indian sports commentators were furious at the ruling which allowed McGrath to play.
Bloomberg News reporter Akshat Rathi described it as a “dereliction of duty”.
He posted on Twitter: “I don’t understand how the rules allow Tahlia McGrath to play a cricket match on the field after testing positive for Covid-19. Dereliction of duty by the authorities.”
Sports journalist Naveen Sharma said Australia were “shameless”.
“Aussies always preach about good or bad but forget everything when it comes to them,” he posted on Twitter.
Other commentators said the ruling opens Pandora’s box.