COVID drama at Edgbaston as McGrath plays while positive

In-form Australia allrounder Tahlia McGrath was cleared to play in Sunday’s Commonwealth Games T20 gold medal match despite testing positive to COVID-19 on the morning of the match.

A last-minute call had to be made on McGrath eligibility to take her place in the XI, and the toss was delayed by about 12 minutes while discussions took place.

The allrounder was separated from her teammates, skipped the anthems before the match, and wore a mask while watching on separate from the rest of the team during the batting innings. She scored two runs off four balls before being dismissed to a Radha Yadav diving screamer at backward point.

She took the field, remained apart from her teammates after taking a key catch to dismiss India opener Shafali Verma, and bowled two overs which went for 24 runs.

After initially staying outside the celebratory huddle after Australia clinched the gold medal, McGrath was welcomed into the group with open arms and warm hugs from her teammates. 

"We didn't want to get in trouble, we felt bad for Tahlia at the end there," teammate Megan Schutt said.

"Obviously when you're part of a game that's so thrilling like that, that's all you want to do (is celebrate) and at the end 'screw it, if we get COVID, so be it."

Image Id: 6F9A24B761AD42EA90F69AB050D6A2C2 Image Caption: McGrath joins her teammates in celebration of gold // Getty

McGrath had presented to team officials with mild symptoms on Sunday morning and subsequently returned a positive test.

"CGA clinical staff have consulted with the Commonwealth Games Federation RACEG (Results Analysis Clinical Expert Group) team and match officials, and McGrath is taking part in today's final," a statement from Commonwealth Games Australia read.

Image Id: 50F1D3D4026D435E9B42C5DA9A2195BE Image Caption: Jonassen and McGrath foot-bump to celebrate a catch // Getty

"In consultation with the CGF and the ICC, CGA and Cricket Australia medical staff have implemented a range of comprehensive protocols which will be observed throughout the game and for post-match activity, to minimise the risk of transmission to all players and officials."

CGA has maintained a comprehensive COVID-19 risk mitigation strategy for the Games, with testing protocols over and above those required by the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee.

Image Id: 10006F74C61E4EF2929B776B9C09D3EA Image Caption: McGrath watches on from the Edgbaston stands during Australia's innings // Getty

As reported by cricket.com.au ahead of the Games, a positive COVID test does not necessarily preclude an athlete from competing, given the United Kingdom’s relatively relaxed guidelines for isolation.

It is a marked difference from recent global events including the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, where Australia allrounder Ashleigh Gardner spent 10 days in isolation after testing positive, missing two matches.

In Birmingham, players across all disciplines are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine their availability to compete should they return a positive test.

Factors taken into account include how severely they have been impacted by illness, how infectious they are likely to be, their sport and the facility in which they would be competing.

"The strangest part of it all (was) just not being able to celebrate with her and obviously when you're part of a game that's so thrilling like that, that's all you want to do," Megan Schutt said after the match.

Image Id: 26F8ED2ACB214EA6868CCEAAEEBAB335 Image Caption: A masked McGrath took full part in the medal ceremony // Getty

"(The rules are) out of our control ... all we can do is try our best to maintain keeping it out of our squad and hey, we almost got through the whole tournament without it.

"I think Tahlia was just happy to play, in Australia, it probably wouldn't be the case, so the fact that Tahlia got to go out there and take an absolutely crucial catch and be a part of this really is very special."

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

July 29: Australia beat India by three wickets

July 31: Australia beat Barbados by nine wickets

August 3: Australia beat Pakistan by 44 runs

Semi-finals: August 6

India beat England by four runs

Australia beat New Zealand by five wickets

Bronze medal match: New Zealand beat England by eight wickets

Gold medal match: Australia beat India by nine runs

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium. Watch live or on demand via 7Plus