Two English stars have pulled out of the BBL in two days as quarantine bubbles take their toll

A second English star has pulled out of the BBL as quarantine bubbles take their toll.

England all-rounder Tom Curran has opted out of returning to the BBL because of bubble fatigue. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

Sydney Sixers import Tom Curran has become the second Englishman in 48 hours to pull out of the Big Bash as the onerous task of playing in cricket quarantine bubbles takes hold.

Curran, who has featured in every game of England’s white-ball tour in South Africa, which has been impacted by COVID-19 positives, was scheduled to join the reigning champs after Christmas following two weeks of hotel quarantine.

But the 25-year-old contacted Sixers management, telling them an extended period under biosecurity restrictions was taking a toll and he needed to go home instead.

It comes after the Brisbane Heat lost star English import Tom Banton to bubble fatigue on Saturday.

🏏 We've thrown our support behind @TC59 after granting him a release from his contract for @BBL|10.

TC has penned an open letter to our incredible members and fans which you can read in full here > https://t.co/kg0xy8C0LZ#smashemsixers #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/vGMpbdhIOJ

— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) December 6, 2020

Banton, Curran and most English players have been in a controlled cricketing environment of some kind since July.

Curran, the Sixers’ top wicket-taker in last year’s title-winning season, said he needed to find some “normality”.

“I’m really sorry not to be playing in this year’s Big Bash,” Curran said.

“As you’ll already know, it’s been a very challenging year and I’ve been in (biosecurity) bubbles since July … 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.”

The England tour of South Africa could be cancelled because of two members of the England touring party returning “unconfirmed positive tests” for COVID-19.

The first one-day international was cancelled because of a virus outbreak at the hotel where both teams were staying and the remainder of the tour is now in doubt.

Last week West Indies captain Jason Holder, who has signed to play three games with the Sixers, warned it was only a matter of time before players began pulling out of competitions worldwide.

“I don‘t think I have spent this much time locked away in a hotel room in any time in my life,” Holder said on signing for the Sixers.

“I‘m not sure how much longer we can sustain moving around in these bubbles.

“It‘s been really tough being sat in the room seeing the same walls. Every time you leave and come back the room feels a bit smaller.”