Australian officers issued an announcement explaining that regardless that McGrath was constructive and presenting delicate signs, she was allowed to play following session with workforce and match officers together with the Commonwealth Games Federation Results Analysis Clinical Expert Group.
“McGrath offered to workforce administration with delicate signs on Sunday and subsequently returned the constructive check,” mentioned Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA). “She was named within the beginning XI on the toss and the International Cricket Council (ICC) accepted her participation within the last.
“In session with the CGF (Commonwealth Games Federation) and the ICC, Cricket Australia medical workers have carried out a variety of complete protocols which can be noticed all through the sport and for post-match exercise to attenuate the chance of transmission to all gamers and officers.
“The CGA has maintained a complete COVID-19 danger mitigation technique for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with testing protocols over and above these required by the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee.”
The CGA didn’t define what protocols had been in place and would make no additional remark.
“I believe it was dealt with extraordinarily nicely from Australia’s perspective,” mentioned Australia batter Beth Mooney, her gold medal hanging round her neck. “Having protocols in place and ensuring everybody on the workforce was comfy she was enjoying, they did all the best issues.
“Obviously in direction of the toss it grew to become a bit furry there for awhile however I believe it is no totally different if somebody enjoying and so they’ve bought a chilly or flu.
“From my perspective the best choice was made and we simply went out and performed it.
“It wasn’t one thing underneath our management, the people who find themselves paid to make these choices made them.”
McGrath didn’t line up together with her workforce mates in the course of the nationwide anthems. However, she got here out to bat with out carrying a face masks.
She was Australia’s highest run-scorer in Birmingham coming into the ultimate however in opposition to India she confronted simply 4 balls earlier than being dismissed for 2.
When McGrath exited the sector, she didn’t return to the dugout. She sat other than her teammates.
“It was uncommon however we’ve got our physician on tour and we had been simply listening to no matter she mentioned,” mentioned Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. “She mentioned it was protected for her to play, clearly we did not mingle together with her so all of us felt like we had been protected sufficient on the market.
“It was simply a kind of issues that was certain to occur to somebody on this competitors and sadly it was her.”