Australia’s all-conquering women’s cricket team continued to dominate the sport after defeating India in the Commonwealth Games final at Edgbaston, but not before Covid-19 provided drama. did.
The team, led by Meg Lanning, secured a nine-run victory and won the first Commonwealth gold medal awarded to a woman in a close match in which India threatened to pull off an amazing run chase to the death.
But the history-making win came amidst intense drama, with Australia confirming midway through the innings that all-rounder Talia McGrath had tested positive for Covid-19 on the morning of the match.
McGrath would not have been able to play if the final had been held in Australia, but the rules of the Commonwealth Games are more relaxed in line with the host country’s laws.
After checking with agencies such as the International Cricket Council and the Commonwealth Games Foundation, the toss was delayed by 12 minutes, but precautionary measures were taken to allow the toss to take place instead. She wore a mask and sat away from her teammates during her innings batting. 3 In a surreal moment after a catch in her overs, she shook off her hand as her teammates ran in celebration.
“We were all happy to play. She was happy to play,” said fast-bowling Megan Shutt after the game. “She’s perfectly fine, so I think the positive result came as a bit of a shock to her, but it’s not Covid. We’re all going to get through it.
McGrath dove from where he was standing outside the team huddle when the final wicket was confirmed by the third referee. And when she received her medal on her podium, she was wearing her mask, in stark contrast to her teammates.
“We didn’t want to get in trouble, and in the end I felt sorry for Talia,” Schutt said. “Obviously, when you’re part of a game that’s thrilling like that, that’s all you want to do [is celebrate] And finally, if you get Covid, that’s fine. “
India maintained its diplomatic line, but it is believed that they did not support the decision. I knew I had to follow suit,” skipper Hermanpreet Kaur said.
Opener Beth Mooney took the lead, marking 61 of 41 balls with her bat.
“Nobody tested, nobody did anything. It’s a real shame she couldn’t celebrate with us, but at the same time, I think the right decision was made in terms of letting her play.” I think. Hopefully people won’t get too upset about it.”
Australia were top until they were caught late in the innings. Then India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur batted brilliantly when he scored his 65 off 43 balls. However, her momentum returned to the Australians when she cleared Ash Gardner’s bowling in the 16th over and was caught by record-breaking wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy.
“Once upon a time she [Kaur] Flicking a switch there started bombing us between 4 and 6 where we knew we were in trouble…her wicket, that was the absolute turning point.” Schutt said India needed 11 off in the final over, but Jess Jonasen completed the tail with just three balls.
“It means a lot more than I thought it would before these federal competitions,” Schutt said.
Australia could have easily done things had they continued with what appeared to be a big total. Mooney and skipper Meg Lanning (36 off 26) scored 74 for his second wicket and with seven overs remaining he was 109-3 with 180 plus offshore.
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