The English cricketer Tom Curran has been banned for four BBL matches in the 2023 season after being found guilty of intimidating an umpire in a pre-match dispute.
Tom Curran’s four-match ban in BBL 2023
The Sydney Sixers all-rounder Tom Curran has been involved in the pre-match altercation with the umpire and has been banned for four matches in BBL 2023. But Sydney Sixers will appeal the sanction.
Curran was charged with a level 3 offense under Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct for an incident before Sydney Sixers match against Hobart Hurricanes on December 11 in Launceston.
According to Cricket Australia, Curran completed a practice run-up and ran on part of the pitch during the warm-up before being verbally instructed by the umpire not to do so again.
“[The umpire] gestured to Curran to move away from the pitch,” CA’s statement said. “Curran was seen in the footage gesturing to the umpire to move away from the pitch.
“Curran then attempted to perform a practice run-up and run at pace straight towards the umpire who stood in the bowling crease facing Curran. The umpire stepped to his right to avoid the risk of collision.”
Tom Curran was charged and was issued with four suspension points equating to a four-game ban. He is set to miss upcoming matches against Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder, and Brisbane Heat.
The four-match ban is significant in a reduced BBL regular season, where each team will play 10 matches.
The head of Sydney Sixers Rachael Haynes said the club would “Vigorously appeal the sanction while providing support” for Curran, who had starred against Hurricanes with 3 for 19 off four overs in Sixers’ securing victory by six-wickets.
“Tom and the club maintain that Tom did not knowingly or intentionally intimidate a match official, and on legal advice, we will exercise our right to appeal the decision,” she said.
“We will support Tom during this period and look forward to him returning to the field.”
Sydney Sixers will be playing the 11th match of BBL 2023 against Adelaide Strikers on December 22 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
