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Birmingham — Australian All Rounder Talia McGrath has been cleared to play for gold medal-winning India in Sunday's Commonwealth Games women's T20 cricket final despite testing positive for COVID-19 just hours before the toss .
Australian officials issued a statement stating that McGrath, who tested positive and had mild symptoms, has consulted with team and match officials along with the Commonwealth Games Federation's Results Analysis Clinical Experts Group.
"McGrath presented to team management on Sunday with mild symptoms and subsequently tested positive," she said. Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) said. "She was named the first XI in the toss and the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved her participation in the final.
"In consultation with the CGF (Commonwealth Games Federation) and the ICC. , Cricket Australia's medical staff has implemented a comprehensive set of protocols that will be observed throughout their activities during and after the match to minimize risks, sending to all players and officials.
"The CGA maintains a comprehensive COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, using testing protocols that exceed those required by the Birmingham 2022 Organizing Committee."
The CGA has not outlined the protocol in place and has no further comment.
"From an Australian point of view, I think it was handled very well," said gold medalist Beth Mooney. "We had protocols in place, we made sure everyone on the team was happy with what she was playing, and they all did the right thing.
"Certainly, toss. It got hairy for a while, but I don't think that would change if someone got a cold or the flu while playing.
"From my point of view, the right decision was made and I We went out and played:
"It was not under our control and the decisions were not made by those who were paid to make those decisions."
McGrath did not line up with his teammates during the national anthem. However, she came out to bat without a face mask. was sent off after only 2 balls facing 4 balls.
When McGrath left the field, she did not return to the dugout. She sat apart from her teammates.
"It was unusual, but the doctor was on tour and I was just listening to her," said Ashley Gardner. I was. ``She said it was safe to play. It was just one of those things that was destined to happen to someone at the convention, and unfortunately it was her." (Reporting by Steve Keating, Birmingham; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
