Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath was allowed to play in the gold medal win against India in Sunday’s Commonwealth Games women’s T20 cricket final despite testing positive for Covid-19 just hours before the throw.
Australian officials issued a statement explaining that although McGrath was positive and showing mild symptoms, she was allowed to play after consultation with team and match officials and the Commonwealth Games Federation Clinical Expert Group for Results Analysis.
“McGrath presented to team management on Sunday with mild symptoms and subsequently returned the positive test,” Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) said. “She was named in the starting XI for the draw 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 medical staff have put in place a comprehensive set of protocols to be followed throughout the game and for post-game activities to reduce the risk of transmission to all players and to minimize official .
“The CGA has maintained a comprehensive COVID-19 risk reduction strategy for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with testing protocols going beyond those required by the Birmingham 2022 Organizing Committee.”
The CGA did not explain what logs were in place and declined to comment further.
“I think it was handled very well from an Australian perspective,” said Australian batter Beth Mooney, with her gold medal hanging from her neck. “They had protocols and made sure everyone on the team was comfortable that they were playing, they got everything right.
“Obviously things got a little hairy for a while towards the toss, but I think it’s no different when someone’s playing and they have a cold or the flu.
“From my perspective, the right decision was made and we just went out there and played it.
“It wasn’t something under our control, the people who are paid to make those decisions made them.”
McGrath did not line up with her teammates during the national anthems. However, she came out without a face mask for hitting.
She was Australia’s top run scorer in Birmingham when she got to the final, but against India she only hit four balls before being sent off for two.
When McGrath left the field, she did not return to the dugout. She sat apart from her teammates.
“It was unusual but we have our doctor on tour and we just listened to what she said,” said Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. “She said it was safe for her to play, obviously we didn’t mix with her so we all felt safe enough out there.
“It was just one of those things that had to happen to someone in this competition and unfortunately it was her.”