BBL Ban: England’s Tom Curran Suspended for Four Games

According to ESPNcricinfo, Sydney Sixers will appeal the sentence given to England all-rounder Tom Curran for intimidating an umpire during a pre-match altercation. Curran has been banned for four Big Bash League (BBL) matches. Tom Curran, an import for the Sydney Sixers, was found guilty of intimidating an umpire. He will serve a four-game suspension, but the team has said they will appeal the decision.

When Curran tried to complete a practice run-up on the pitch during the warm-up before the Sixers’ penultimate game against the Hobart Hurricanes on December 11 in Launceston, he got into a fight with an official. It is alleged that Curran was attempted to be stopped by the fourth umpire, who is responsible for monitoring the pitch during play breaks. As a result, Cricket Australia filed a Level 3 infraction against the Englishman.

The umpire reportedly told Curran not to run onto the pitch after he finished his first practice run-up, which involved running onto a portion of the UTAS Stadium surface, according to CA. According to CA, Curran then moved to the other end of the wicket and made an attempt at another practice run-up. According to cricket.com.au, the statement stated, “The umpire took position next to the stumps, blocking Curran from approaching the pitch and gestured to Curran to move away from the pitch.”

“In the video, Curran could be seen motioning for the umpire to leave the pitch. Curran then tried to run straight towards the umpire, who was standing in the bowling crease facing him, as part of a practice run-up. To reduce the chance of a collision, the umpire moved to his right,” he continued. Match referee Bob Parry later filed a charge against Curran for violating Article 2.17 of the code of conduct, specifically “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire, match referee, or medical personnel whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during a match”.