Amid the worsening Coronavirus pandemic that has brought all cricket activities to a halt, England’s limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan believes that the resumption of the game even behind the closed doors would play a huge role in boosting morale during this time of crisis.
The coronavirus outbreak, which has so far claimed more than 47,000 lives globally, has taken a toll on sports calendars across the globe, leading to several sports leagues and tournaments to be suspended, postponed, or canceled while some of them are being played at the empty stadiums.
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However, all professional cricket has been suspended in England until 28 May, but the England and Wales Cricket Board is now looking at the possibility of playing international fixtures behind closed doors and Morgan welcomed the idea of the medical experts don’t have any problem with it.
England’s 2019 World Cup-winning captain believes that sport will play a huge role in uplifting spirits around the world amid the deadly outbreak of the COVID-19 around the world.
Morgan told reporters in a conference call: “If medical experts advised us it was okay to play behind closed doors and it was on TV, I think that would be a huge step forward for the game.”
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He continued, “Sport could play a huge role in uplifting the world and people’s perspective on things. Isolation encourages idle minds and I think sport can create that theatre and level of expectation around what it’s like to be outside again and be active. Obviously, times are still uncertain at the moment. Realistically we can't think about playing until the situation is downgraded from a pandemic.”
Meanwhile, the ECB has earlier this week announced a 61 million pounds ($75.49 million) aid package to help the game survive the financial effect impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
While there are yet to have any discussion regarding pay cuts, but England skipper said the centrally contracted players over are “open to helping in whatever way possible.”
Morgan signed off by saying, “We want to hopefully make an impact. The difficult thing at the moment is to work out what the best way to help out as players is.”
Noteworthy, England is scheduled to play West Indies and Pakistan in home Tests while limited-overs series against Australia from June to August, but coronavirus lockdown could lead to changes in the schedule.
(With Reuters Inputs)
