Image Credit: twitter.com/@T20WorldCup
The T20 World Cup of 2020 was delayed by one year because of Covid-19, and the World Cup that was rescheduled for 2021 had to be moved from India to the United Arab Emirates. Even though bio-bubbles, which had become commonplace during the pandemic, are no longer present at sporting events around the world.
We might see a Covid-positive player take the field at the World Cup. Provided they maintain their social distance, which is acceptable in a non-contact sport like cricket. Tahila McGrath of Australia, who had reported moderate Covid symptoms at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August, provided the most recent instance.
Despite submitting a Covid-positive test earlier in the day, the all-rounder was given the all-clear to play in the gold medal match against India. She fielded, retained her position while batting, and bowled two overs while avoiding her teammates in the locker room while wearing a mask. After celebrating wickets, McGrath followed the social conventions, but when the team won gold, she joined in the celebrations instead.
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The severity of the symptoms and level of infectiousness was considered while evaluating each player who tested positive at the Games. Throughout the T20 World Cup, similar procedures will be used. It has also been learned that only those reporting symptoms would be evaluated, monitored, and treated during the major event; no required testing will be done. Teams will fly on conventional commercial planes in the absence of a bio secure environment.
The easing of rules that denotes a return to normalcy would be welcomed by the players. Beth Mooney of Australia had defended the choice to allow McGrath to compete in the final, saying, “It’s a real shame that in the elite sport you get publicly embarrassed for having Covid but over here probably 90% of the people in this room have it right now.”
A total restoration to normalcy cannot be uniformly achieved at all global events because of Covid’s complexity and the various reaction strategies employed by governments around the world. All 32 teams’ players and other participants will undergo quick antigen tests every two days.
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