Tom Curran becomes latest England player to withdraw from BBL|10, citing family reasons.
After initially invading Australia for the 2020/21 Big Bash League season, the English are now seemingly in retreat.
Curran joins Bairstow and Banton in withdrawing from BBL|10
All rounder Tom Curran has become the latest Englishman to pull out, announcing he won’t be joining the Sydney Sixers for this season’s Big Bash. Curran joins compatriots Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton, in pulling out of BBL|10.
In announcing his decision to sit out this year’s tournament, Curran said…….
“I’m really sorry not to be playing in this year’s Big Bash. As you’ll already know, it’s been a very challenging year and I’ve been in bubbles since July.”
“I feel very lucky to play for the Sixers, I have loved my time with you all over the last two seasons and I can promise you, this decision was not taken lightly. I will hopefully be back for many years to come, recharged and ready to go again, but for now I just need some time, normality, see family and be home.”
Tom Banton made a similar decision to pull out of playing for Brisbane Heat over the weekend. He also blamed it on the demands of the various bio secure bubbles he has been part of since July.
The two withdrawals come on the back of Jonny Bairstow becoming unavailable for his stint as one of Melbourne Stars overseas players last week.
The English batsman has been recalled to the Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka. Making him unavailable for the BBL.
On the flip side, world No.1 T20 batsman Dawid Malan, arrived for his stint in the Big Bash last weekend. While Liam Livingstone, Jason Roy, Lewis Gregory and Sam Billings, are due to fly in later this week.
The latter mentioned 4 players are still on duty with England in South Africa though. And with all the Covid related problems besetting that series, there could be cause for concern for the players’ franchises.
Bio-secure Bubbles are taking toll on players
The bigger picture to this is the fact that the secure bubbles are becoming an additional strain on the players.
Well respected cricketers such as Eoin Morgan and Jason Holder have spoken out, saying they are unsustainable. And this looks like further proof.