Allan Border can't imagine T20 World Cup in Australia behind closed doors

Former captain says tournament must be held only after restrictions are lifted

Australia is scheduled to host the T20 World Cup later this year. AFP

Former Australia captain Allan Border said it is difficult to imagine hosting this year's Twenty20 World Cup Down Under in front of empty stadiums.

The coronavirus pandemic, which has prompted travel restrictions around the world, has raised doubts about the showpiece tournament, which is scheduled to begin in Geelong on October 18.

The idea of playing behind closed doors to give cricket-starved fans live action on television has found some backing but Border, 64, is not a fan of the concept, especially for a World Cup.

"I just can't imagine playing at empty stadiums ... it defies belief," he told Fox Sports News.

"Having teams, support staff and everyone else associated with the game wandering around the country, playing games of cricket, but you can't let people into the grounds. I just can't see it happening.

"It's either you play it and everyone just gets on with the job and we're past this pandemic.

"Or it just has to be cancelled and you try to fit it in somewhere else."
The virus has so far infected about 6,400 Australians and led to 61 deaths.