There was drama in the middle of Australia’s matches when the team confirmed that McGrath had tested positive for the coronavirus ahead of the match.
Had the match been played in Australia, McGrath could not have played. But the Commonwealth Games rules are more relaxed to match the laws of the host country, England.
Prior to the game, McGrath was cleared to play by the International Cricket Council and also by the Commonwealth Games Foundation, but made only a minimal impact with the bat.
“McGrath presented to team management with mild symptoms on Sunday and subsequently tested positive. She was named in the starting XI in the toss and the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved her participation in the final,” said a statement from Commonwealth Games Australia.
“In consultation with the CGF and ICC, CGA and Cricket Australia, medical staff have implemented a comprehensive set of protocols which will be followed throughout the game and for post-match activity to minimize the risk of transmission to all players and officials. “
There was a strange moment early in India’s innings as they chased down Australia’s total of 161-8.
After taking a crucial catch in the third over, McGrath had to wave her teammates away as they gathered to celebrate the moment.
With Harmanpreet at the crease, India looked to have a strong chance of reaching Australia’s target.
But when she lost her wicket for 65 off just 43 balls, the momentum swung the gold medalists’ way. Australia bowled India out for 152 with three balls to spare.
Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt, who claimed two wickets, said the departure of the Indian captain was a key moment in the final.
She also said the Australian team knew about McGrath’s positive test and were all happy to play alongside her.
“She feels absolutely fine, so I think the positive result was an absolute shock for her. This is COVID, right? We knew the protocols when we came here and it definitely paid off,” Schutt said. “Maybe the weirdest part of all was not celebrating with him.”
Australia became the first nation to reach 1,000 Commonwealth Games gold medals – with 66 gold medals so far this edition – when the Australian Diamonds defeated Jamaica 55-51 in the netball final.
Also on Sunday, and just a week after England’s women’s football team won the European Championship, its women’s hockey team created Commonwealth Games history of their own.
It was lucky seventh for England, who beat Australia 2-1 in the final at the University of Birmingham to win their first gold medal.
In the six previous editions where women’s hockey has been played at the Games, England have won either silver or bronze medals.
But against an Australian team that had won four gold medals at previous Commonwealth Games, the hosts controlled the match, scoring twice early on.
The crowd was already chanting “Hockey’s coming home,” a twist on a popular song usually associated with soccer, when Australia scored its only goal with 19 seconds remaining.
England player Lily Owsley said an aggressive game plan was key to England’s success.
“Australia is very good. They’ve just won a bronze medal at the World Cup, so we had to give them that respect,” she said.
“We knew we had to come out fighting, because with a team this good, this straightforward, you have to fight fire with fire. Our coach said, ‘You have to take the first swing and then you have to keep swinging.’ That’s what we did.”
New Zealand’s Aaron Gate continued a phenomenal Commonwealth Games run when he won his fourth gold medal, displaying his incredible versatility to win the men’s road race.
The 31-year-old Gate also won the individual and team pursuits in London as well as the points race and he is the first New Zealand cyclist to win four gold medals in one Games.
“This is a special thing, making history. It gives a challenge to other Kiwis to go for that record in the years to come,” he said.
“Honestly it will take some time to sink in. Three felt good and I was very happy with that.
“I came here today to help the team and if I had the opportunity to go for the fourth, I had to grab it with both hands. It feels absolutely phenomenal.”
Australia has a decisive lead over England in the medals table going into the final day of competition on Monday.
Earlier on Sunday, Australia’s double world javelin champion Kelsey-Lee Barber again played the waiting game to perfection at the Commonwealth Games. After adding the 2022 world championships title in Oregon in July to her success in Doha in 2019, Barber traveled to England favored to win her first Commonwealth gold medal.
But on the eve of the opening ceremony on July 28, she tested positive for COVID-19, putting her in isolation and casting doubt on her participation.
It was only on Thursday that the 30-year-old received permission to compete in the race, but she said the days spent in isolation recovering from the illness did not dampen her confidence.
“Mentally, I handled it. I wasn’t going to let it affect my performance today,” Barber said.
Looking to complete her full Games medal haul after winning a bronze in Glasgow in 2014 and a silver on the Gold Coast four years ago, Barber saved her best shot for last.
She followed teammate Mackenzie Little, who threw a personal best of 64.27m, in the final round. But Barber responded with an effort of 64.43 meters to win the gold medal.
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