Aussie women’s T20 gold is marred by controversy as Covid-positive player is allowed to participate

Australia has been branded ‘hypocritical’, ‘racist’ and ‘dangerous’ after it controversially allowed a Covid-infected player to take the field in the women’s T20 gold medal match at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Beating the Australian Women India to add women’s T20 gold to their already bulging trophy case in a dramatic Commonwealth Games final, overshadowed by the COVID-19 controversy.

The toss was postponed as officials discussed whether all-rounder Tahlia McGrath would be allowed to play after he returned a positive COVID-19 test

The toss was postponed as officials discussed whether all-rounder Tahlia McGrath would be allowed to play after he returned a positive COVID-19 test

The toss was postponed as officials discussed whether all-rounder Tahlia McGrath would be allowed to play after he returned a positive COVID-19 test.

McGrath, one of Australia’s best players in the entire tournament, presented to team officials with mild symptoms on Sunday morning and returned a subsequent positive test.

Despite this, she was allowed to play and was forced to distance herself from her teammates and wear a mask while waiting to strike.

McGrath is isolated from her teammates as she waits to bat in the final

McGrath is isolated from her teammates as she waits to bat in the final

She also couldn’t celebrate with her teammates after taking a catch.

Many Indian supporters believed the decision was “racist” and that India would have been excluded from the final if the shoe had been on the other side.

Tahlia McGrath tested Covid positive. Still, she was allowed to play. Basically, all the rules get messed up when Australia and England play. Imperialist mentality at its best,” wrote one angry fan.

McGrath was allowed to play but had to sit away from her teammates and wear a mask while playing - her impact on the game was minimal

McGrath was allowed to play but had to sit away from her teammates and wear a mask while playing – her impact on the game was minimal

‘How racist they are. Imagine the same thing happening to an Asian player they wouldn’t have allowed at all,” said another.

“If the same happened to the Asian team, the match would have been halted and the opposition would get the gold,” wrote another.

“How is this possible… The umpires already stole the women’s hockey semi-final from India against Australia with bad umpiring, too much favoritism for Australia,” wrote another.

A number of cricket fans pointed out that Australia refused to let tennis champion Novak Djokovic play at the Australian Open and called us hypocrites for allowing McGrath to play.

‘So Australia can ban Djokovic from playing at the Australian Open because he is not vaccinated but will allow a Covid+ve [sic] person to play a cricket match? And what’s the point of testing whether a Covid-positive person can still play?’ asked Mantavya in online commentary.

It wasn’t just Indian supporters who were shocked and dismayed by the decision, but many Australian fans also questioned the decision.

“The team they played against should appeal to the health organization. It is very dangerous and not legal to endanger the health of others. Australia would be in every way if it were the other way around, especially if we lost,” one Australian fan wrote.

‘Absolute nonsense! Shouldn’t be around others when she has it and India should refuse to play as a positive that puts you in front of everyone else. Why is it all of a sudden okay?’ posted another.

“This is weird. A positive test puts you out of the fray. What if India refuses to participate for health reasons?’ said another.

Australia beat India to add women's T20 gold to their already bursting trophy case in dramatic Commonwealth Games final

Australia beat India to add women’s T20 gold to their already bursting trophy case in dramatic Commonwealth Games final

Had the match been played in Australia, McGrath would have been forced to sit out and isolate for seven days, highlighting the ridiculous inconsistencies in COVID-19 policy.

Her impact on the game was minimal, but was nevertheless the biggest talking point at Edgbaston.

Australia won by nine runs despite a brilliant knock from Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, adding Commonwealth gold to World T20 and ODI success for this all-conquering side.

Australia won by nine runs despite a brilliant knock from Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, adding Commonwealth gold to World T20 and ODI success for this all-conquering side

Australia won by nine runs despite a brilliant knock from Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, adding Commonwealth gold to World T20 and ODI success for this all-conquering side

Ash Gardner, the hero with the bat when Australia defeated India to open the tournament, this time played with the ball, taking 3-16 from three overs – including Kaur’s match-turning wicket.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Alyssa Healy failed to fire again, out lbw for seven, but skipper Meg Lanning joined Beth Mooney for a 74 run partnership of just 47 deliveries.

Australia looked comfortable, before a double piece of brilliance from Radha Yadav dragged India back into the game.

McGrath (C) wears face mask, stands on podium at medal ceremony

McGrath (C) wears face mask, stands on podium at medal ceremony

First, Yadav tapped the ball between her legs to catch Lanning 36 short off her ground after backing too far, before plucking a diving catch from McGrath to sack Australia’s No. 4 in the next over.

Gardner hit a rapid fire of 25, but it was Mooney (61 out of 41) who kept the innings together before being sacked by a brilliant catch from Deepti Sharma.

Sharma reached out to grab a one-handed firecracker.

After looking down 180-plus, Australia dropped out towards the end, scoring just 11 runs from the last two overs, reaching 8-161.

Members of the Australian team pose with their gold medals after their win in the women's T20 cricket final against India at Edgbaston during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Members of the Australian team pose with their gold medals after their win in the women’s T20 cricket final against India at Edgbaston during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

India skipped 12 runs from the first in response, but lost two quick wickets, with Darcie Brown bowling Smriti Mandhana behind her legs before Shafali Verma wasted her extra life to fall for 11.

But entered Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian skipper who looks like she would single-handedly take India to the gold medal, hitting a brilliant 65 from 43 balls before sinking into the deep hollow as Gardner took two wickets into two balls.

A direct hit from Grace Harris helped hold India back as they needed 11 runs from the final left, but it took just three balls as Jess Jonassen claimed the last wicket to unleash wild celebrations.