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James Anderson not keen on playing cricket behind closed doors

by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

England fast bowler James Anderson has come out against the idea of playing cricket without crowds present, one mooted idea to help with the hosting of live cricket this summer.

A report in the Guardian stated that the ECB were looking into the logistics of playing cricket behind closed doors, with several other precautions in place, in an effort to start the season as soon as possible while still ensuring the spread of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 is contained.

However, having seen other sports stage matches without fans in attendance before the ongoing pandemic prompted a global shutdown, Anderson has said he isn’t keen on the safety measure.

“Obviously in an ideal world, we would have supporters there,” said England’s leading Test wicket-taker. “I saw some of the football being played behind closed doors and it just doesn’t look right to me.

“For some of the bigger games, you had people gathering outside the ground which sort of defeats the object of playing behind closed doors. I’m not saying we’d have crowds gathering outside Edgbaston or Lord’s or whatever. But if and when we do play cricket again, surely it’s got to be with crowds watching?”

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