MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 06: Marcus Stoinis of the Stars focuses during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 6, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
COVID cases have sprung up again with Melbourne Stars players Joe Burns and Marcus Stoinis both testing positive.
Both players tested positive in the hours prior to the season opener but were able to still play in their loss to the Sydney Thunder.
Both players were seated away from the rest of the playing group, while the duo travelled separately and had their own dressing room.
The league is intending to facilitate all grounds with a third changeroom for players who are COVID affected this season.
Burns suffered a tough night and retired hurt with a hamstring injury on 18 not out. Shockingly his knock was his side's second highest score with Stoinis falling for a golden duck.
Skipper Adam Zampa has said the separation of Burns and Stoinis from the team was strange, but admits it is necessary to keep the BBL flowing.
“It's something we're getting used to now, it's happened already quite a bit this summer through the World Cup,” Zampa told reporters.
“We don't even speak about it, it's just a quick message saying these guys are positive and stay away.”
“Burnsy's (Joe Burns) had a tough day with the hamstring and that as well, he'll be pretty flat I think and the same with Stoin (Marcus Stoinis), I don't think he was quite up for it with the ball, and he would have been quite handy.”
Stoinis was unable to field or bowl after feeling unwell after his golden duck.
The Melbourne Stars face Hobart next on Friday. Burns will likely be ruled out with a hamstring injury, and the availability of Stoinis is unknown.