Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques tested positive for Covid-19 before the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 final but that did not prevent him from featuring in the all-important clash.
Henriques played as a batter in the BBL final against Brisbane Heat at their homeground Sydney Cricket Ground. While he was the captain, veteran left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe walked out for the coin toss and opted to bowl first.
Henriques did not bowl a single over as Brisbane Heat posted 166/8 on the board. He pulled off two run-outs of Matt Renshaw and Xavier Bartlett. Sean Abbott starred with a four-wicket haul.
In the run chase, he scored 25 runs from 27 balls including one four and a six. But he failed to revive the run chase. Spencer Johnson took a four-wicket haul as Sydney Sixers were bowled out for 112 in 17.3 overs in the run chase of 167. Brisbane Heat beat Sydney Sixers by 54 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground to claim the BBL title after 11 years.
“Unfortunately our skipper isn't up here. He has led us outstandingly well. We love the support of our crowd. Thanks again. Well done to the Heat boys,” Sydney Sixers batter Daniel Hughes said after the match.
Not the first instance
This is not the first time an Australian player has featured in a cricket match after testing positive for Covid-19. In the Commonwealth Games 2023 women’s cricket tournament’s final, Tahlia McGrath played against India.
McGrath sat by herself in the stands with a mask on. She did not turn up for the national anthems with her teammates as well. She could not do much damage with the bat and scored two runs from four balls before getting dismissed by Deepti Sharma.
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