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Tom Curran footage comes to light as Sydney Sixers ace hit with four-game ban in BBL

The Sydney Sixers have signalled their intent to appeal the actions of the bowler that have come under fire.

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here is Sydney Sixers star Tom Curran.
Sydney Sixers star Tom Curran will appeal the four-game ban for the incident with an umpire. Pic: Getty/Seven

Damning footage has come to light of the incident that saw Sydney Sixers all-rounder Tom Curran slapped with a four-game ban for allegedly intimidating an umpire. The Sixers have already indicated they will fight the ban after insisting Curran "did not knowingly or intentionally intimidate" the match official.

In a statement handing down its charge, Cricket Australia said Curran was involved in an altercation with an umpire after completing a practice bowling run-up in which he ran onto the pitch. The charge stemmed from an incident during the warm-up before the Sixers' clash with the Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston on December 11.

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Curran was instructed by the umpire not to enter the pitch before the match had started, so he went to the other end to complete another practice run-up. BBL broadcaster Channel Seven released footage of the bizarre incident on Thursday night. The vision shows the umpire standing his ground in front of the pitch, attempting to indicate to Curran that he had to run on the other side of him.

“You can run here, not here,” the umpire told Curran. Curran can be seen taking a direct run towards the umpire and looked as though he was about to clatter into the official, before changing direction at the last second. The Englishman then side-steps around the umpire and off the side of the pitch, with viewers and commentators condemning the all-rounder for his actions.

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“That is totally and utterly ridiculous,” commentator Jason Richardson said. He’s clearly had a brain fade there. You can’t intimidate an umpire like that.”

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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."

Seen here, Tom Curran bowling for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL.
Tom Curran is seen here bowling for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL. Pic: Getty

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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