BBL 2023: Sydney Sixers' Appeal To Reverse 4-Match Ban On Tom Curran Ignored By Cricket Australia

England pacer Tom Curran came under fire and has been making a lot of headlines for all the wrong reasons when a video of him abusing and intimidating a Big Bash League umpire circulated on social media last week. Curran was seen warming up for a Sydney Sixers match against Hobart Hurricanes when he stepped onto the track where the match was supposed to take place.

According to rule books, only the Captain and coach of a team are allowed to be around the pitch before a match. But with Tom Curran constantly landing his foot on the track with his spike on, it forced BBL umpire Muhammad Quereshi to intervene and ask him to stop warming up on the pitch.

What happened afterward was very dramatic. Umpire Quereshi appeared to be standing in the path of Curran’s run-up in an attempt to keep him off the pitch. However, Tom Curran continued his run up and he almost collided with the umpire but the Englishman changed his route at the last moment.

After that, both Curran and Umpire Quereshi were seen exchanging a range of words with the former gesturing Quereshi to step out of his way. It was at that moment only that Tom Curran reportedly abused the umpire and very soon the case reached Cricket Australia’s door.

By keeping Curran’s viciousness in mind, Cricket Australia decided to hand a 4-match ban to the Right-arm pacer on Thursday for a level 3 offense under CA’s code of conduct. It was basically a punishment to Tom Curran for disrespecting the Umpire. The Sydney Sixers did appeal to CA to overturn the decision but the Apex Australian Cricket Board will not do so.

“Umpires are part of the lifeblood of cricket and it is essential they are respected and appreciated by players at all levels of the game.” – Cricket Australia’s General Manager Alistair Dobson said in a statement following the decision on Curran. 

Tom Curran Will Serve The 4-Match Ban Despite Expressing His Remorse To Cricket Australia

After receiving the 4-match Ban, Tom Curran apologized for his actions and said that he was unaware of the fact that the particular matter would get so big. The 28-year-old also said that running into the pitch for warming up is much more than just a warm-up for him as it is more like a way of preparing himself for the match and understanding the surface better.

He also claimed that it was never his intention to run into the umpire and he was just carrying out a pre-match ritual he has been for many years. But after knowing that his actions have taken a different turn, Tom Curran said that he should have repositioned his run up a few meters towards left and that he will never do something like that again.

“My intention was always to veer off to Umpire Quershi’s right, in a similar way to my run up at the other end. I had never considered running into him and never considered that he would think that was my intention. However, on reflection, I should have repositioned my run up a meter or so to my left. I would not do the same if the situation arose again, and I am sorry.” – said Tom Curran. 

Meanwhile, Curran’s 4-match ban will end on January 1 after Sydney Sixers’ clash against Brisbane Heat and he will be available to feature once again in a reverse fixture between the two teams on January 3rd.