Playing Behind Closed Doors Hard To Imagine, But Players Will Have To Get Used To It: Ian Bell

Ian Bell knows a thing or two about what it feels while playing in front of packed stadiums with vociferous fans going mad at every single cover-drive that he painted the ground with. Fans are a heartbeat of any sporting event. The sight of a packed house not only creates a great atmosphere but it also proceeds to send an adrenaline rush among cricketers, urging them to push the envelope as far as their individual performances are concerned.

But thanks to the onslaught of the coronavirus, cricketers will have to contend with playing without the fans and former England batsman feels it will be tough to adjust to the environment.

Ian Bell went on to give the example of the 2005 Ashes, stating that he realized the importance of the atmosphere that fans create after watching its highlights. He added that it is tough to imagine what Andrew Flintoff’s iconic spell at Edgbaston if it had happened behind closed doors.

“I’ve had the opportunity to watch some of those great moments from the [Ashes] series in 2005 and what you realise is the importance of the atmosphere and the support,” Ian Bell told the PA news

He added:”You think of that great Freddie Flintoff spell at Edgbaston what would that have been like without the fans and the atmosphere? It’s hard to imagine. It’s not ideal to play without the fans, no doubt, but it seems like something we’re going to have to get used to for the foreseeable future. We have to try and get going and if everyone is able to watch at home that’s a great start.”

Also Read: Virat Kohli Opens Up On The Prospect of Playing Cricket Behind Closed Doors

“It would be a challenge to hold it back”- Ian Bell on players celebrating with teammates via hugs or hurdle in the post-corona world

With social distancing the new reality, players will also have to look at possibly changing the way they celebrate with their teammates in the post-corona world and Bell said it would be a challenge for the players to hold back in the heat of the moment.

“It would be a challenge to hold it back and something the lads who go out there will have to try their best to do I would have found it virtually impossible in 2005. Emotion can get the best of you at the best of times, and certainly when you’re playing Australia,” said the former England batsman, “Ian Bell said.

“A lot of adrenaline and emotion flies around in international cricket but player safety is going to be the most important thing and it’s something they will have to control,” Ian Bell added.

A lot of cricketers including David Warner and Glenn Maxwell have expressed their reservations against playing behind closed doors but given the current circumstances, they may well have to adjust themselves to the new ‘normal’ for the foreseeable future.

Also Read: “All You Want Is Crowd”: David Warner Unwilling To Play Behind Closed Doors