|| CF Correspondent ||

England all-rounder Ben Stokes said that he is ready to play in closed stadiums as feels it would not dampen the competitive side of matches.

Stokes insisted that players "would do anything" to get cricket back on television screens for fans to watch during the Covid-19 crisis. Think about it, we are walking out to represent our country, we got three lions on our chest and there is a game that we are supposed to win," Stokes told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"So whether it's in front of nobody or, like we are used to, in front of full crowd, I don't think it's going to take that competitive side away.

"It's a completely different scenario to get our heads around, that there isn't going to be the atmosphere or cheering that we're used to when we play international game.

"We would do anything to get cricket back on the TVs and for people to follow and watch. If that means you have to play in front of nobody then so be it," he added.

The spread of the novel coronavirus has brought sport to a standstill. Staging games without spectators has been suggested as one way to resume professional cricket.

England's home series against West Indies scheduled for June has been postponed, with the likelihood of those three tests being played later in the summer without fans.