CWG 2022: Radha Yadav takes blinder at backward square leg to dismiss Tahlia McGrath

Australia Women and their Indian counterpart faced off for the gold medal match in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on August 7, Sunday. Australia won the toss and elected bat first. Both teams went into the same playing XI as they did in their respective semifinals.While the game saw some brilliant tussle between the bat and the ball, Indian players also showcased their athleticism in the field. 

In the first ball of the 12th over, off-spinner Deepti Sharma bowled one outside the off-stump to Tahlia McGrath. McGrath cut the ball aerially towards the backward point region. And Radha Yadav, on the field, covered some ground, running to her left. She stuck out both her hands and took a diving catch to send the batter back to the pavilion for just two runs off four balls.

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Brilliant catch by Radha Yadav#CricketTwitter #INDvAUS #B2022

* IMO Tahlia McGrath shouldn't have been cleared to play.Threat to other players' health.
Glad she is dismissed early. pic.twitter.com/P38EDeT3jP

— Asli BCCI Women (@AsliBCCIWomen) August 7, 2022

India to chase 162 for the gold medal

Australia’s opening batter Beth Mooney scored a splendid 61 runs off 41 balls, which was also well complemented by skipper Meg Lanning’s 36 runs off 26 balls. But the star batter Alyssa Healy was sent back early in the third over by the competition’s top wicket-taker, Renuka Singh, for seven runs off 12 balls. Mooney also became the top scorer of the competition with a run tally of 179, going past New Zealand’s Sophie Devine.

All-rounder Ashleigh Gardener scored a quickfire 25 runs off 15 balls and Rachael Haynes, at number seven, finished the innings off, scoring 18 runs off 10 balls. For the Asian team, seamer Renuka yet again starred with the ball, picking up two wickets for 25 runs in four overs, and taking her wicket tally for the tournament to 11 in five games. Sneh Rana also bagged two wickets, and Deepti and Radha took one wicket each.

Meanwhile, all-rounder McGrath tested positive for Covid-19 but was allowed to play after consultation with the team, tournament officials and health experts. “Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) can confirm that cricketer Tahlia McGrath has returned a positive test for Covid-19,” a statement from Commonwealth Games Australia read 

“CGA clinical staff have consulted with the Commonwealth Games Federation RACEG (Results Analysis Clinical Expert Group) team and match officials, and McGrath is taking part in today’s final against India,” the statement further read.