Australia still hopes to host the T20 Cricket World Cup later this year, but the tournament will likely be played in empty stadiums.
Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts has circled August to confirm whether the event will proceed as scheduled in October/November.
But with India likely to be cleared for a test series the following month, hope is high that Australia will be able to house all 15 T20 squads.
Ultimately, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will make the final call, but according to Federal Sports Minister Richard Colback, initial discussions with Australian border security have been positive, but limits on large gatherings remain the lingering issue.
"I'd love to see an Australia-India test series this summer and I'd really like to be able to see the World Cup go ahead," Colbeck told SEN Radio on Monday. "The issue is not so much the teams, it's going to be the crowds.
"That's one of the hurdles we really have to consider and probably World Cricket will look at pretty closely as well. We all know the difference in atmosphere.
"In a team sense, I'd like to think we can build some protocols with the cooperation of the sport and players - that's going to be extremely important - to see if we can make the competition go ahead."
The success of the revamped NRL season may be a key indicator to the viability of staging the tournament in October, with organisers reportedly prepared to play every game in one city.
In July, the Australian Federal Government will decide on future border restrictions, which should clear the waters for the ICC to make a decision.
