For the love of the game: Langer backs cricket behind closed doors

Like almost the entire sporting schedule around the world, cricket has been halted by the pandemic, with no return date set in stone.

London: Australia men’s cricket team coach Justin Langer on Sunday backed cricket behind closed doors when it is safe to do, saying that it will have "great value" for the public, deprived of action by the coronavirus shutdown.

COVID-19 outbreak.

Like almost the entire sporting schedule around the world, cricket has been halted by the pandemic, with no return date set in stone.

One of the options being mooted is to have the sports resume after restrictions have been lifted but in empty stadiums.

"When you started off playing cricket, when you were under age, there's no crowds there," he told a British radio station.

"You played it because you loved playing the game, you loved playing with your mates and you loved playing the game.

"For the love of the game, and for still being able to entertain people through TV sets or radio, then there's value in (playing behind closed doors).

"Yes it's different, but we'll never, ever, ever take for granted how lucky we are ever again."

Eoin Morgan

World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan said this week that he was open to England fielding two teams on the same day at separate venues if the coronavirus led to a compressed home international season.