‘Totally and utterly ridiculous’: Tom Curran banned for four BBL games for intimidating umpire | Cricket News

Announced on Tuesday as a new Royal Challengers Bangalore signing at the 2024 IPL auction, England all-rounder Tom Curran has been banned for four Big Bash League games on Thursday. This, after the Sydney Sixers player clashed with the on-field umpire in the pre-match warmup ahead of Sixers’ fixture against Hobart Hurricanes.
On December 11, ahead of the BBL match in Launceston, Curran was warned the on-field umpire to not practice his run up on the pitch and rather do it on the side of the 22 yard strip. In the footage released the tournament broadcasters, Seven, one can hear the umpire tell Curran, “You can run here, not here.”
Having seen the all-rounder already run through the wicket once and preparing to do so from the other end, the umpire decides to move onto the pitch himself and signal Curran to run from the side. But the latter ignores his instructions and decides to run through the wicket anyway, almost crashing into the match official, who decides to step out at the last second to avoid a collision.

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
What does the law suggest?
Curran has been charged with a Level 3 offence and issued with four Suspension Points under clause 2.17 of the Cricket Australia (CA) Code of Conduct.
Intended to cover any form of intimidation of an umpire, match referee or medical personnel, “it includes, without limitation: (a) any form of continual verbal or physical harassment; (b) any form of intentional behaviour that would cause the person at whom it is being directed to fear injury or harm; and (c) attempts to impede or block movement.”
“[The umpire] 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,” a statement from CA read furthermore stating that “the umpire stepped to his right to avoid the risk of collision (on the second run up instance).”
What have Curran and Sydney Sixers said?
The 28-year-old and the franchise have appealed against the ban. During a hearing before CA’s Code of Conduct Commissioner Adrian Anderson, Curran outlined how, while conducting his usual pre-match run ups prior to play, he had run towards the stumps, where the match official was standing.
Rachael Haynes, head of the Sydney Sixers stated that the club would “vigorously appeal the sanction, while providing support” for Curran.
“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,” read a statement released from the franchise on Thursday.

What’s the reaction been in Australia?
Needless to say the English all-rounder has been the talk of the town following his latest antics. “That is totally and utterly ridiculous,” commentator Jason Richardson had said on Seven. He’s clearly had a brainfade there. You can’t intimidate an umpire like that.”
Former Australia captain Lisa Sthalekar, who’s also part of the broadcast team, stated that the incident “had an element of two guys not letting go of their ego.”