In a major development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will reportedly allow a Covid-infected player to continue participating in the ongoing 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Australia, the host of the showpiece event, recently scrapped the mandatory requirement to isolate those who have contracted the virus.
T20 World Cup: Meet India’s 15-man team tasked with bringing home the trophy
According to cricket.com.au, the ICC will not conduct mandatory tests to detect COVID infection during tournaments and even if a player contracts the virus, he will be allowed to miss matches aka the finals. Talia McGrath will be allowed to attend. 2022 CWG in Birmingham.
Australian cricketer McGrath tested positive just before the gold medal match against India, but was allowed to take part in the competition. She wore a mask outside the field and even sat away from her teammates but protocol went up in flames after Australia became champions as McGrath joined in the celebration with his teammates.
However, the ICC has left it to teams to make their own call regarding “is it appropriate” for an infected player to be part of the competition. Teams will also be allowed to make changes in their squad, in case a player tests positive and once turns negative, he/she will also be allowed to return.
The 2021 T20 World Cup was held under strict bio-security protocols, with players not allowed to interact with fans. However, the latest iteration of the global event has relaxed the rules with players welcoming the change.
“It’s a completely different dynamic,” Australian pacer Pat Cummins told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday.
“The team went out to dinner last night and we were really talking about it,[saying]’This is the first time we’ve done this for almost three years’. It was great fun. One of the main things that we all love playing for your country is – you get to see new places and experience different things,” he said.
T20 World Cup 2022: See full list of ICC commentators
However, Cummins believes that the strict rules left players with no option but to socialize, which played a part in strengthening the team during last year’s World Cup.
“Last year we had a lot of fun, but it was really (only) our group. You didn’t see anyone, not even the hotel staff. You were alone,” Cummins recalled.
“T20, (more than any other format), is a format where if someone has a game or two, you can’t make it big. You need to take them immediately. It’s important to have a really tight group in T20s because it means you can go out and be fearless and brave, and you know your teammates have got your back. I thought last year was a big part of it,” he said.
get the latest cricket news, Schedule And cricket live score Here