Former England fast bowler Darren Gough reckons all-rounder Ben Stokes' performance might be affected if international cricket is played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

The international game is indeed set to return in bio-secure empty stadiums from July 8 via the Test series between England and West Indies. 

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Gough gave an interesting view amid all this regarding Stokes, thinking how would the star cricketer be able to perform at his best without deriving any source of inspiration from crowd presence. 

"We have seen Ben Stokes whenever there is a big game on, when there is something really at stake in a match, he steps up and always delivers," the 49-year-old was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"So it will be interesting to see how someone like him, the greatest cricketer arguably in the world at the moment, how he performs with no crowd. I think it might affect his performance just a little bit."

Gough, who played 58 Tests and 159 ODIs for England, believes it will overall be interesting viewing how players will adjust to the bio-secure bubble for training, on-field action and go about their business amid deafening silence in the stands. 

"I don't think it makes any difference to the players. Of course some players react to crowd more than other. Graeme Gooch is to say that about me. He used to say the bigger the crowd the better I play."

"But for some players, it doesn't matter, they will still deliver. We are talking about small percentages in performance," he added. 

It is highly likely that the entire summer fixtures, also including series versus Pakistan, Australia and Ireland, will be played in empty stadiums because of the pandemic. 

(Inputs from PTI)