Sydney Sixers allrounder Tom Curran finds himself embroiled in controversy after receiving a four-match ban for an alleged incident involving an umpire before a Big Bash League (BBL) match. The incident occurred on December 11, just before Sixers’ game against Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston.
Curran faced a Level 3 offence charge under Cricket Australia’s code of conduct for a pre-match incident where he reportedly came close to colliding with reserve umpire Muhammad Qureshi during the warm-up. Channel Seven released footage of the incident, leading to widespread condemnation of Curran’s actions. The video shows Curran almost running into the umpire while completing a practice run-up.
Defending Tom Curran
Despite the controversy, Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques defended Curran, stating that the incident did not seem significant at the time and emphasising the lack of released context. Henriques, who claims to have witnessed the incident, expressed disbelief at the severity of the four-match ban. He highlighted Curran’s positive contributions to the team and community and mentioned the toll the situation had taken on Curran’s character.
“It’s been a pretty tough time for TC – the last 11 days – sitting on this and knowing what he’s like. He’s taken it to heart; he’s really worried about the assassination of the character there. It’s a big claim. I’m wishing him the best,” said Henriques.
Appeal in Progress
Sydney Sixers have decided to appeal the four-match ban, but the appeal carries a risk as the appeal commissioner has the authority to increase the punishment. The ban is particularly significant in the condensed BBL regular season, where teams play only ten matches each.
“It took ten days to get a hearing in the first place, which is very unusual anyway. We’re definitely going to appeal. All of the players and all of our staff are behind him,” stated Henriques.
CA Chief Executive’s Message
Cricket Australia’s Chief Executive Nick Hockley urged players to respect umpires and match officials, emphasizing the importance of showing respect at all levels of the game. He highlighted the role of players as role models and the significance of maintaining the spirit of cricket.
The appeal process is expected to unfold rapidly, with the Sixers facing time constraints due to the upcoming matches and the approaching Christmas break.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
