Melbourne: For months, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be on the wane, with global cases of fresh infections and deaths declining steadily.
Sport, just like other spheres of life, seems to have found a way to cope with the virus.
To drive home the point, International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that players who test positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to play the matches.
According to a report in cricket.com.au, ICC has said there will no mandatory testing during the tournament.
If a player tests positive for the virus, there will be no isolation period, and the onus will be on the concerned team doctors to assess whether it is ‘appropriate’ for the particular player to compete.
If the team management wants a COVID-positive player to be rested, a replacement will be allowed in the squad. Once the infected player recovers and tests negative, he will be allowed to return to the squad.
The ‘soft’ approach towards COVID was followed after two years of strict restrictions during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July-August.
Australian allrounder Tahlia McGrath was allowed to play the women’s cricket final against India despite testing COVID-positive earlier that day. She sat at a distance from her teammates with a mask on while waiting for her turn to bat, and on the field, she bowled two overs and tried to stay away from others. Once Australia sealed a nine-run win, though, frenzied celebrations sent distancing norms for a toss.
