‘Devastating’: Sydney Sixers all-rounder Erin Burns to miss WBBL due to border restrictions

Sydney Sixers star Erin Burns will not feature in the remainder of the Women’s Big Bash League following a “ridiculous” decision.

Sydney Sixers all-rounder Erin Burns has been left “gutted” after the WBBL franchise failed to secure permission for the cricketer to rejoin the T20 competition due to border restrictions.

Burns did not travel to Tasmania with her Sixers teammates for the opening stages of the domestic tournament, opting instead to spend time with her family following a mandatory two-week quarantine.

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The 33-year-old’s pregnant wife Anna is expecting their child later this summer.

But as revealed on Wednesday, Burns has been ruled out of the remainder of the WBBL after her entry into Tasmania was denied, along with subsequent requests in South Australia and Queensland.

“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 in a statement.

“I have so much confidence in this group to do a great job and I will be following closely.”

Burns might be permitted to join her teammates in the finals series, but only if Melbourne or Sydney are given clearance to host the matches.

Cricket journalist Raf Nicholson tweeted: “This is ridiculous. You can bet if she was a man it would have been sorted out by now, if it had even happened at all.”

Erin Burns represented Australia in six matches in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour.

Cricket NSW’s interim head of female cricket Clare Crewdson confirmed that Cricket Australia could not solve the border crossing challenges.

“We tried all that we could, but it was to no avail,” she said in a statement.

“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.”

Burns has represented Australia in five T20 internationals and one ODI since making her debut in 2019.

She was a member of Australia’s squad for last year’s T20 World Cup triumph, but could not crack into the starting XI during the tournament.

Burns has scored 870 runs and taken 29 wickets for the Sixers since joining the club in 2017.

The Sydney Sixers currently sit seventh on the WBBL ladder with two wins from their opening five matches.

The women in pink will next face the Melbourne Renegades at Perth’s Lilac Hill on Saturday morning, with the first ball scheduled for 1.15pm AEDT.

Originally published as ‘Devastating’: Sydney Sixers all-rounder Erin Burns to miss WBBL due to border restrictions