COVID leaves players on edge as BBL hub looms

Anxiety is running high across the KFC BBL as multiple COVID-19 outbreaks reportedly leave a hub in Melbourne as a serious option to continue the tournament.

In an unprecedented crisis for the BBL, Cricket Australia is trying to figure out how to complete the season and also keep players and staff safe.

An announcement on the future of this season could be made as soon as Tuesday, with reports all eight teams could be based in Melbourne to limit travel and allow greater flexibility in the schedule.

Twelve Melbourne Stars players have contracted COVID-19, forcing them to call-up Victorian club cricketers just to field a team for their last two games.

Players at the Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers have also tested positive in recent days.

Stars allrounder Hilton Cartwright admitted it was tough to forget about the coronavirus situation and prepare for Monday night's clash with the Melbourne Renegades.

The former Australia Test player had talks with the Stars' wellbeing staff after opening batters Joe Clarke and Tom Rogers were forced out of the Melbourne derby at the MCG, less than 24 hours after they'd played against the Scorchers.

Star players Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter-Nile were already in isolation due to COVID-19.

"I've never felt more vulnerable to a virus in my entire life and I never realised how much it was going to affect my mental state," Cartwright said.

"I've had form slumps and this ranks right up there with how I actually feel about going about my business day-to-day.

"Myself and my wife have basically been locked up in our room, not sure if we're capable of catching the lift in case someone in there might have caught (COVID-19).

"Constantly, it's on your mind and then you've got to walk out there and perform one of the biggest pressure stages in the world."

The allrounder conceded he wasn't able to focus on Monday's derby until just hours before the match.

"My mental state wasn't in a great place about coming to your workplace and COVID is basically running rampant," he said.

"I was really battling that throughout the day but once it got to about 4pm, all I was doing was trying to focus on the game."

With the mandated seven-day isolation period coming to an end, it's hoped the bulk of the Stars squad will be available for their next match against Adelaide on Friday, provided they are cleared of the virus.

"We've got through these two games … I honestly can't see it getting worse without the competition literally being put on hold," he said.

Renegades quick Kane Richardson conceded he felt sorry for what the Stars have had to endure.

"If we were in that position with 12 guys out, I don't know how we would put a team out on the park," Richardson said.

"So hats off to them, but it doesn't quite feel right.

"As players, we're all a bit unsure at the moment, and we're trying our best not to get the virus, but if we do, we don't know what the go is.

"It would just be nice to know (if the hub in Victoria is going to happen). There's obviously talk of it.

"I think everyone would know that's a good thing if it keeps the competition going."