The T20 World Cup provides a provision for players with Covid-19 to be able to take the field, as per TOI. No restrictions have been imposed by either the ICC or the Australian government.
Relaxation of rules
It is learned that no mandatory testing is needed as well. For the first time since the pandemic, a tournament will be played with no Covid-driven restriction. In a twist of fate, it’s happening in the very nation where Novak Djokovic was not allowed to play the Australian Open as a result of not being vaccinated.
ICC
“If a player tests positive for Covid-19 but feels well enough to play then he can play in a match. It will be done in consultation with the medical team. The infected players will need to follow protocols from the biosecurity advisory group like wearing masks and maintain distance from his teammates,” a source was quoted as saying by TOI.
Not new
An infected player taking the field is not a new concept. Australia’s women’s team’s allrounder Tahila McGrath took part in the Commonwealth Games final vs India only a couple of months back.
Australia has been very strict while imposing restrictions during the pandemic. The government’s mandatory isolation requirements for those infected ended in the previous week. As a result, the ICC is able to be more flexible.
Reuters
Easier on sides
This makes it easier for teams to announce replacements for infected players. A positive test in the RT-PCR test will be replaced. But that infected player may return after a negative test.
This is a big relief for players. The game has been played in tight bio-bubbles since 2020. While the bubbles have been lifted, RTPCR tests on players are pretty regular. Now the team management can focus on the tournament.
New normal
This T20 World Cup was supposed to happen in 2020 in Australia. But it was moved to 2022 despite Australia being one of the countries recording the least number of Covid-19 infections.
This World Cup may be a signal as to how the sport is living with the virus. One could call this the new normal.