Harmanpreet Kaur said that the team had been informed of Tahlia McGrath’s positive test prior to the toss but they had no objections to allowing her to play in the final match as they had to show the sportsman’s spirit.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur allowed Covid-19 positive Tahlia McGrath to feature in the Commonwealth Games final gold medal match on Sunday.
Harmanpreet Kaur Reckons They Had To Show The Sportsman’s Spirit As They Allowed Tahlia McGrath To Play Commonwealth Games 2022 Final
Harmanpreet Kaur said the Indian team had been informed of Australian pacer Tahlia McGrath’s positive test prior to the toss but they had no objections to allowing her to play in the match for Australia’s side.
“They informed us before the toss. That was something not in our control because the Commonwealth has to take the decision. We were OK because she (Tahlia McGrath) wasn’t very ill, so we just decided to play,” Harmanpreet Kaur said.
India’s skipper mentioned that it was a matter of sportsmanship to allow her to play otherwise missing the final game would have been hard-hitting for Tahlia McGrath.
Harmanpreet Kaur said, “We had to show the sportsman’s spirit. We’re happy that we didn’t say no to Tahlia because that (missing the final) would have been very hard-hitting for her.”
Tahlia McGrath tested positive for Covid-19 on the morning of the gold medal match in Birmingham but was allowed to play the match because she suffered only minor symptoms.
After the talented all-rounder 26-year-old came out as Covid-19 positive, the whole conjecture surrounded around whether she should be allowed to field or not. Amidst such discussions, the toss was also delayed by more than 10 minutes.
However, Tahlia McGrath went wicketless and only managed two runs with the bat in Australia’s thrilling nine-run victory but her inclusion in the game sent messages of encouragement for women cricketers.
Ashleigh Gardner Had Tested Covid-19 Positive Earlier And Missed 2 Women’s World Cup Games
Earlier in the year, Australian star player Ashleigh Gardner had tested Covid-19 positive and had to isolate for 10 days and even missed two matches at the start of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand.
However, the difference between Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner is that isolation rules in the United Kingdom are slightly more relaxed than in other parts of the world. After allowing Tahlia McGrath to play the match, the Australia team released a statement to explain the decision.
“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,” the statement from Commonwealth Games Australia read.
“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 minimize the risk of transmission to all players and officials,” it added.
Tahlia McGrath however played a crucial role in the field as she took a catch to dismiss Shafali Verma early in India’s run chase, but celebrations were quite different as she stayed away from the rest of her teammates.
However, all precautions went in vain after Australia clinched the gold medal as Tahlia McGrath was seen celebrating with her teammates while wearing a mask.
Australia opener Beth Mooney was seen happy with the decision to allow her teammate to play but raised questions as to why it has to be told publicly about the test when 90 percent of people are testing positive but are roaming freely because they don’t turn up for a test.
She said, “It’s a real shame that in elite sport you get publicly shamed for having Covid when over here probably 90 per cent in this room have it right now. No one is testing, no one is doing anything. It’s a shame she couldn’t really celebrate with us.”
“At the same time, I think the right decision was made in terms of letting her play given we’ve spoken about protocols and making sure we were trying to keep everyone safe throughout the game. Hopefully people aren’t too upset by it,” Monney added.
Australia gave yet another lesson in closing out games under pressure and crushed India’s dreams to clinch gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022. With India needing 44 off 30 with seven wickets in hand, Ashleigh Gardner produced an incredible plot twist by dismissing Pooja Vastrakar and the half-centurion Harmanpreet Kaur off successive deliveries.
India lost their last eight wickets for just 34 runs. A crestfallen Harmanpreet Kaur, whose 43-ball 65 had lifted India into a match-winning position, sat motionless in the dugout, as did the rest of the team, who had to settle for the silver medal.
Australia 161 for 8 (Mooney 61, Lanning 36, Gardner 25, Renuka 2-25, Rana 2-38) beat India 152 (Harmanpreet 65, Rodrigues 33, Gardner 3-16, Schutt 2-27) by nine runs