Tom Curran pulls out of upcoming BBL season; says he needs some time and normality out of bubble

England all-rounder Tom Curran has pulled out of the upcoming edition of the Big Bash League in citing bio-secure bubble fatigue. Curran was supposed to ply his trade for defending champions Sydney Sixers. The tenth edition of Australia’s premier T20  competition is scheduled to get underway on December 10. Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes will take on each other in the tournament-opener this week.

Curran has been in and out of bio-bubbles since July. He began action amid the pandemic with England during the home season before flying to UAE for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). It was immediately followed by the ongoing tour of South Africa. Throughout all these assignments, Curran had to stay in bio-bubbles in addition to undergoing strict quarantine.

Tom Curran issued an apology to the Sixers fans as he said he was craving for some time with the family. The England star highlighted that the ongoing year has been a tough one for him because of the prevailing conditions. He also hoped to return to Australia and play for the Sixers ‘for many years to come’.

“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 (bio-security) bubbles since July. 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 25-year old said in a Sixers team release on Monday.

A big blow for Sixers

Missing Tom Curran will be a big blow for the Sixers. The allrounder played a key role in the team’s triumph last season. He impressed with both bat and ball as the Sixers won their second BBL title and first since 2011-12 season. The allrounder was Sixers’ highest wicket-taker. In 14 games, Tom Curran picked up 22 wickets and scored 133 runs.

The club, however, understood the players’ condition as their General Manger Jodie Hawkins said: “The varying conditions we are asking our players to play cricket in worldwide is taking its toll and we understand Tom’s need for a break over this BBL season.

Meanwhile, Tom Curran is not the the only player who has pulled out of the upcoming BBL season. Before him, his compatriot Tom Banton also took the same decision. Banton, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020, was supposed to play for Brisbane Heat. A week earlier, Jonny Bairstow had also pulled out, but that was because he was called up for international duty.