Sydney Sixers’ fast-bowling all-rounder, Tom Curran, is set to miss the next four matches in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) following a pre-match incident with an umpire. The tournament revealed that Curran faced a Level 3 offence under the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct after a match on December 11.
Before the game against Hobart Hurricanes, Curran undertook a practice run up, running onto part of the pitch despite verbal instructions from the umpire to refrain from doing so.
The umpire positioned himself to prevent Curran from approaching the pitch, but Curran gestured for him to move away. In an attempt to perform another practice run up, Curran ran towards the umpire, who had to step aside to avoid a collision.
Post-match, the Match Referee charged Curran with intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire, leading to a Level 3 offence under Article 2.17 of the Code of Conduct. Despite Curran contesting the charge, Code of Conduct Commissioner Adrian Anderson found him guilty. The penalty imposed is a suspension of four matches in the KFC BBL.
In response, Sydney Sixers announced their intention to appeal the decision, asserting that Curran did not knowingly or intentionally intimidate a match official. Rachael Haynes, Head of Sydney Sixers, stated, “We will support Tom during this period and look forward to him returning to the field.”
This incident has added a layer of controversy to the BBL, with the appeal now awaiting further consideration.