Erin Burns unable to join Sydney Sixers squad for WBBL07

" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sydney Sixers allrounder Erin Burns' efforts to join the squad for the seventh season of the Women's Big Bash League have been derailed by border restrictions.

Burns opted not to travel with the team to Hobart for the start of the tournament, instead choosing to spend time with her family after an extended period away in which she represented Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred and then underwent mandatory quarantine. The allrounder had initially hoped to meet up with the squad at Launceston, but once that opportunity was lost, Cricket New South Wales attempted to help her join the team in Adelaide and Mackay. However, border restrictions have brought a halt to those plans.

Understandably gutted to miss out on her team's campaign this season, Burns reiterated her continued support to the Sixers saying she believed they have the strength to make the finals.

“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.”

ALSO READ: Shafali Verma happy to learn tricks of the trade from Sydney Sixers' superstars

Clare Crewdson, interim head of female cricket for Cricket NSW, said they had tried their very best to help Burns, but State Government restrictions made it impossible.

“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.”

In 59 matches for the Sixers so far, Burns has scored 870 runs at a strike rate close to 120. She's also taken 29 wickets and 30 catches, making a significant impact in the field for the Sixers.

In WBBL07 so far, Sixers have struggled with their batting, unable to find stability and some firepower in the lower middle order - something they hoped Burns would provide. Despite the blow though, they have shown no signs of looking for a replacement, instead showing faith in youngsters Jade Allen and Claire Moore who were both handed WBBL debuts this season.

After the first leg of the tournament in Tasmania, the Sixers have managed two wins in five matches, with one washout. With five points, they are tied alongside Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars on points, all of whom have a superior net run rate. Their next assignment is against Melbourne Renegades on Saturday (October 30) in Perth.