Cricket Australia boss issues stern warning following Tom Curran's BBL ban

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley says disrespect towards umpires will not be tolerated following Sydney Sixers allrounder Tom Curran being handed a Big Bash League (BBL) ban. The Englishman was slapped with a four-game ban for allegedly intimidating an umpire during the warm-up for the Sixers' clash with the Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston on December 11.

In handing down its charge Cricket Australia said Curran was involved in an altercation with an umpire after completing a practice bowling run-up where he ran onto the pitch. Curran was instructed by the umpire not to run onto the pitch before the match had started but went to the other end to complete another practice run-up, appearing to ignore the umpire's orders.

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BBL broadcaster Channel Seven released damning footage of the incident on Thursday night. The vision shows the umpire standing his ground at the crease, attempting to indicate to Curran that he must run on the other side of him.

"You can run here, not here," the umpire is heard saying to Curran, pointing to the side of the pitch. Curran can then be seen taking a direct run towards the umpire and it appeared as though he was about to smash into the official, before changing direction at the last second, sidestepping around the umpire and off the side of the pitch.

Despite not being able to directly comment on the specifics of the incident, Hockley told players that disrespect towards any umpire will not be tolerated and players that do so will face the consequences of their actions. "My feeling is that players really need to respect the umpires and the match referees," he said.

"I think that those processes are in place for good reason and my overarching message to everybody, and this is not just at the elite level, but at the community level where many of the umpires and officials give their time as volunteers.

"Respect is fundamental to the spirit of cricket and it's fundamental to the laws of the game. Players are role models in society and it's really important they show respect."

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CA said Curran had been charged with a level-three offence under clause 2.17 in the code of conduct. The clause relates to "intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire, match referee or medical personnel whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during a match".

The statement read: "The umpire took position next to the stumps, blocking Curran from approaching the pitch and gestured to Curran to move away from the pitch. 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."

Sixers boss Rachael Haynes said the franchise will "vigorously" appeal the four-game ban handed down to their player. "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," Haynes said in a statement. "We will support Tom during this period and look forward to him returning to the field." Curran took figures of 3-19 during the match in which the Sixers scored a six-wicket win over the Hurricanes.

- with AAP

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