Tom Curran handed four-match BBL ban for intimidating umpire

Tom Curran has been handed a four-match Big Bash League ban, a Level 3 offense, which would rule him out of Sydney Sixers’ next four BBL encounters.

According to a release by Cricket Australia and Big Bash League, “Curran was charged by the Match Referee under Article 2.17 of the Code of Conduct for “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an Umpire, Match Referee, or Medical Personnel, whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during a Match.” 

The incident took place during the Sixers' pre-match warm-up when Curran completed a practice run-up in which he ran onto part of the pitch. The umpire took notice of the incident and verbally instructed him not to run onto the pitch. 

Following this, Curran moved to the opposite end of the pitch to complete another practice run-up. The umpire took position next to the stumps, blocking Curran from approaching the pitch and gesturing to Curran to move away from the pitch. 

The vision everyone's been waiting for.

This is the series of events that's led to Tom Curran's four-game suspension... pic.twitter.com/CRcBujbIl0

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 21, 2023

Curran was seen in the footage gesturing to the Umpire to move away from the pitch, but then he 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. 

Curran contested the charge, and the matter was heard by Code of Conduct Commissioner Adrian Anderson. The Commissioner found that Curran committed the offense and imposed a penalty of four suspension points, equating to four BBL matches.

However, Sydney Sixers clearly stated that they would appeal the sanction and have clarified that Curran will have all kinds of support from the team. "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. We will support Tom during this period and look forward to him returning to the field."