Despite having moderate symptoms and testing positive for Covid-19, Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath was allowed and played in the team's gold-medal match against India on Sunday at Edgbaston.
The toss for the gold medal match was delayed by about 15 minutes, according to former Australian cricketer Lisa Sthalekar, because Tahlia had tested positive for Covid-19 and Australia had to inform the Indian team.
Tahlia was depicted in images before to the game sitting upright in the stands, wearing a mask, and avoiding eye contact with the rest of the Australia team. Even during the playing of the national anthem, she refused to join the side. The International Cricket Council granted permission for Tahlia to compete in the gold medal game (ICC).
"Cricket player Tahlia McGrath has returned a positive test for Covid-19, according to Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA). The Results Analysis Clinical Expert Group (RACEG) team and match officials have spoken with CGA clinical professionals, and McGrath will compete in today's final versus India."
"On Sunday, McGrath reported to team management with a few minor symptoms and later gave a positive test result. The International Cricket Council (ICC) granted her permission to play in the championship after she was nominated to the starting XI at the toss."
"CGA and Cricket Australia medical personnel have devised a number of detailed precautions that will be observed throughout the game and for post-match activity, to minimise the risk of transmission to both players and officials," according to a statement from the CGA and Cricket Australia.