‘Is this the same country that deported Novak Djokovic?’ - Twitter calls out Australia for allowing COVID positive Tahlia McGrath to play during CWG 2022 Final

The Final of the Women’s T20 Tournament at the Commonwealth Games 2022 witnessed a controversial moment. In a match for the Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, Australia took a U-turn on a decision that it has been enforcing on foreign citizens for a long time.

Novak Djokovic’s ordeal with the Australian government in January this year was worldwide news. Djokovic, one of the greatest ever Tennis players, was deported out of Australia because the Serbian athlete did not get vaccinated. Australia has been one of the most strict nations when it came to lockdowns and forced vaccination.

The same Australia, however, had a different take at the Commonwealth Games. Tahlia McGrath tested positive ahead of the Women’s T20 Final at the Commonwealth Games 2022.

The same Australia who made a mockery of an international tennis player for being unvaccinated was now pleading for the Commonwealth to let their covid positive tested player play in the jampacked final. A covid positive Tahlia McGrath played the final and helped Australia win it. The hypocrisy of the Australian government has been laid bare for everyone to see.

We had to show sportsmanship- Harmanpreet Kaur

As is the case with any respectful player of nations, Harmanpreet Kaur did not oppose when informed of this rather dubious insincerity. “They informed us before the toss. That was something not in our control because the Commonwealth has to take the decision. We were OK because she (Tahlia McGrath) wasn’t very ill, so we just decided to play," said the Indian captain.

She said, “We had to show the sportsman’s spirit. We’re happy that we didn’t say no to Tahlia because that (missing the final) would have been very hard-hitting for her."

Australian government and officials who kicked out Djokovic declaring him a “threat” to the nation were seen making light of the COVID.
Australian batter Beth Mooney said, “it’s no different if someone playing and they’ve got a cold or flu.”

Twitter obviously could not let this slip and called out the Australian government and Australia Cricket for their double standards. Let's look at some of the reactions that followed.

Tahila McGrath represents a country that ensured Novak Djokovic was deported and not allowed to play in Aus Open for being unvaccinated and was called a threat. When it came to one of their own - it was okay to let her play with covid?

— Karishma Singh (@karishmasingh22) August 7, 2022

Djokovic right now!! 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/l3s2JR4Yh0 pic.twitter.com/oPtna3lHlh

— Srini Mama (@SriniMama16) August 7, 2022

Hey @cricketcomau
Can I tell you the incident that happened with Novak Djokovic few months back

This is ridiculous. #CommonwealthGames pic.twitter.com/f968mFQoin

— Bibhu (@Bibhu224) August 7, 2022

And they kicked out @DjokerNole from Australia because he was not vaxed. Here an infected Australian is allowed to play in UK. It is not Hypocrisy it is Hierarchy. https://t.co/GjEJ8YycRt

— Dom Cobb (@DomCobb1984) August 7, 2022

Novak Djokovic will have new points to argue if he were to ever get involved in a court battle again. #CWG2022

— Karishma Singh (@karishmasingh22) August 7, 2022

Is this the same country that deported Novak Djokovic? (Not saying he was right, obviously) https://t.co/eavM3AY4Di

— s (@_sectumsempra18) August 7, 2022

lowkey cannot believe tahlia mcgrath is allowed to play the final of the womens cricket commonwealth WHILST BEING covid positive like bruh are you really okay with putting other's at risk like this?

— meds-gin 🐍🌞 (@kehnahikyaax) August 7, 2022

They say that Australians do whatever it takes to win like no other can, and today allowing Tahlia McGrath, a COVID+ player to participate in a cricket match is the epitome of the said statement.

— AJN (@LifeIsAnElation) August 7, 2022

Wtf is happened?
Tahlia Mcgrath came out without a mask despite being covid positive,then whats the point of isolating from teammates and wearing a mask in the dugout?
Where are the precautions?#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/nSCiJDOrgD

— Geofinn_12 (@12Geofinn) August 7, 2022

Tahlia McGrath is playing despite Covid positive. This is like mocking all those who suffered due to the pandemic. I demand suspension of entire team. #INDvAUS

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 7, 2022

Tahlia McGrath, having tested positive for COVID-19, walks out to bat.

I am sure other teams will take notice and follow suit in the months to come.

Be prepared to see more COVID-19 positive cricketers on the field in future.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) August 7, 2022