Oz’s Allan Border can’t imagine T20 World Cup without fans

Sydney — Former Australia captain Allan Border said on Tuesday he cannot even imagine the prospect of hosting the 2020 T20 World Cup in empty stadiums due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The health crisis, which has prompted travel restrictions and quarantine periods in countries around the world, has clouded the outlook for the format’s flagship tournament, which is scheduled to begin in Geelong on October 18. “I just can’t imagine playing at empty stadiums ... it defies belief,” he told Fox Sports News. “It’s going to be hard for us to justify having a World Cup when we can’t get people into the grounds,” Maxwell told ABC Grandstand. Meanehile, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon says Tim Paine has been “absolutely incredible” since taking over as Test captain during turbulent times and expects the wicketkeeper to continue in the role for the foreseeable future. Paine was handed the job in 2018 after then captain Steve Smith was banned for 12 months for his part in a ball-tampering scandal in SA. Australia lost a first home series to India but retained the Ashes in 2019 under Paine, who has said he would back Smith’s return to the job after he served a further one-year ban from leadership roles. “Tim Paine has been absolutely incredible for the Australian cricket team,” he told reporters in a video conference on Tuesday. “If you looked around that changeroom at that time, I think Tim Paine really got up in my eyes, really stood up and could take that challenge on,” he added. With Australia postponing their tour of Bangladesh in June due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Lyon is looking forward to India’s return later in 2020, even if the matches have to be played behind closed doors.