Marcus Stoinis act comes to light amid cricket storm over Tom Curran incident in BBL

Footage has emerged of Marcus Stoinis performing a run-through onto the pitch before a BBL game this season, in similar fashion to what sparked the controversy around Tom Curran. Sydney Sixers bowler Curran has been hit with a four-game suspension for 'intimidating' an umpire, who took exception to the Englishman running onto the pitch before a game.

Under the rules of cricket, only the captain and coach of a team can walk onto the pitch before a game, but only to inspect it. Curran stepped on the pitch while completing a practice run-up before the Sixers' game against Melbourne Renegades on December 11 and was told off by an umpire for doing so.

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The umpire then went and blocked Curran from accessing the pitch again when the Englishman tried to complete a second run-through. In response, Curran ran directly at the umpire and only deviated at the last second to avoid a collision - which officials took a dim view of.

Curran was hit with a level-three offence under clause 2.17 in the Cricket Australia code of conduct for intimidating an official. The Sydney Sixers are appealing the four-game ban, and teammates Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk have since come out in defence of Curran despite widespread condemnation from fans and commentators.

The controversy took a further twist on Saturday when journalist Tom Decent posted video of Stoinis running onto the pitch in similar fashion before the Melbourne Stars' clash with Perth Scorchers on December 13. While Stoinis is the Stars' captain, he still isn't allowed to run onto the pitch while practicing his run-up.

On that occasion, umpires didn't bat an eyelid and appeared to turn a blind eye to Stoinis' actions. Decent wrote: "Not providing an opinion or condoning what Tom Curran did the other night. Just a clip to show that during this year’s Big Bash there have been instances of players doing run-throughs on the pitch before a game. Umpire was right there. Appeal will be interesting."

Many pointed out that Curran has been suspended for his ugly actions after running onto the pitch - not because he ran on the pitch. But others echoed Decent's sentiments and questioned why Stoinis wasn't told off by officials.

Sydney Sixers teammates defend Tom Curran

Discussing the situation before the Sixers' clash with the Adelaide Strikers on Friday night, captain Henriques said he was miffed by Curran's suspension. "It's been a pretty tough time for TC (Curran) over the past 11 or 12 days sitting on this," he said.

"Knowing what he's like, he's taken this to heart and he's really worried about the assassination of his character. (Umpire intimidation is) a big claim, so I'm wishing him the best.

"We obviously don't condone any untoward behaviour towards the umpire or any umpiring staff, but I still can't quite understand the decision. I just can't help but think we haven't quite understood the context of the altercation.

"(Curran) is a great man. He's a real leader in the community, he's a leader amongst our team. I'm still struggling to comprehend that penalty for what he's done."

Silk said after the game: "He's an absolutely loveable guy. He's obviously doing it tough at the moment. I think 'Mo' (Henriques) has probably spoken quite a bit around the whole situation and as a teammate I just throw my arms around him and tell him I've got his back."

Despite the character references from his teammates, fans and commentators have also taken a dim view of Curran's actions. The ugly scenes have been labelled 'ridiculous' and 'unacceptable' over the last few days.

with AAP

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