Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
Experienced all-rounder Erin Burns has had her bid to join the Sydney Sixers’ Weber WBBL|07 campaign curtailed by border restrictions.
Burns did not travel with the Sixers team to Hobart for the opening stages of the tournament, instead spending time with family having only recently returned from The Hundred in England and the mandatory fortnight in hotel quarantine.
The veteran, who was part of Australia’s victorious squad at the 2020 ICC T20 Women’s World Cup, had hoped to be able to join her teammates in Launceston but once that opportunity was scuppered entry applications were made for her to meet the team in Adelaide and Mackay later in the tournament, but border restrictions have ended those plans too.
A shattered Burns said she would reluctantly be supporting from afar.
“I’m gutted I can’t join the Sixers because WBBL is always such a highlight of the season and so not to be able to pull on the magenta with the girls is devastating,” Burns said.
“I have so much confidence in this group to do a great job and I will be following closely.”
Cricket NSW’s Acting Head of Female Cricket, Clare Crewdson, said that CNSW and Cricket Australia had been unsuccessful in solving the border crossing challenges.
“We tried all that we could, but it was to no avail,” Crewdson said.
“We are disappointed for Erin and her teammates and a little bewildered as to why we were unable to achieve what other sports have, by moving players and families across borders to fulfil their jobs.
“But at the end of the day we respect the decisions and processes implemented by State Governments and feel for those people locked out of states that are unable to see family and friends.”
The Sixers have no immediate plans to replace Burns, instead showing faith in their current squad, including teenage rookies Claire Moore and Jade Allen who have both made WBBL debuts this season.
If the Sixers or Sydney Thunder were to top the regular season table and the finals were to be hosted in Sydney, Burns would be eligible to re-enter the squad.
Sydney Sixers WBBL|07 Schedule (All AEDT Start Times)
Sat 30 Oct | v Melbourne Renegades | 1:25pm | Lilac Hill | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Sun 31 Oct | v Perth Scorchers | 4:50pm | Lilac Hill | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Wed 3 Nov | v Hobart Hurricanes | 1:25pm | WACA Ground | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Tues 9 Nov | v Brisbane Heat | 2:35pm | Karen Rolton Oval | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Wed 10 Nov | v Adelaide Strikers | 4:50pm | Karen Rolton Oval | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Sat 13 Nov | v Brisbane Heat | 7:05pm | Great Barrier Reef Arena | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sun 14 Nov | v Sydney Thunder | 1:40pm | Great Barrier Reef Arena | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sat 20 Nov | v Adelaide Strikers | 1:40pm | Adelaide Oval | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sun 21 Nov | v Perth Scorchers | 10:15am | Adelaide Oval | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
