In wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Australia races against time to be ready for the T20 World Cup in October-November.
However, the marquee tournament received a major boost on Friday (June 12) as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that few sports venues in the country will be allowed to host fans from July.
Since Australia is among the least affected countries by the pandemic with just over 7000 cases till date, Morrison said stadiums with a capacity below 40,000 will be allowed to house up to 10,000 fans initially.
"This is going to be looked at over the next few weeks. For the larger ones (venues) I would venture that it would be the subject of a discrete approval for each venue that would be worked out with the Chief Health Officer in each state or territory," Morrison was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
"So by the time you get into July there may be that type of opportunity for the rules that apply to those under 40,000 carry over to those above 40,000. These will be practical, commonsense issues, worked through by the medical expert panel over the next few weeks and I think they will give a great instruction."
Morrison cleared that allowing spectators in stadiums with more than 40,000 capacity will take some more time, which means iconic cricket grounds like MCG, SCG and Adelaide Oval will be left out.
"When you're up above 40,000, you've got more than 10,000 people going to a gathering, that has implications for the egress and access of and to those premises, public transport crushes, all those sorts of things. That will require much more significant work," he explained.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to take a call on the fate of the T20 World Cup next month.
(With PTI inputs)
