The Sydney Sixers will appeal a four-match ban slapped on English allrounder Tom Curran for his alleged intimidation of a Big Bash League match official.
Cricket Australia (CA) on Thursday announced 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 charge stemmed from an incident during the warm-up before the Sixers’ clash with the Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston on December 11.
In a statement, CA said Curran was involved in an altercation with an umpire after completing a practice bowling run-up in which he ran onto the pitch.
He was instructed not to enter the pitch, then went to the other end to complete another practice run-up.
“The umpire took position next to the stumps, blocking Curran from approaching the pitch and gestured to Curran to move away from the pitch,” CA said in the statement.
“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.”
Curran contested the charge and the matter was heard by code of conduct commissioner Adrian Anderson, who found the player guilty of the offence.
Anderson imposed a penalty of four suspension points, resulting in a four-match ban.
Vision of the incident was revealed on Channel 7’s The Spin after Thursday night’s BBL match between the Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades, with host Jason Richardson slamming the incident as ‘totally and utterly ridiculous’.
“This is the first time I have seen it. This is coming from an experienced international cricketer who has clearly had a brain fade there. You can’t intimidate an umpire like that.”
However, former women’s cricket great Lisa Sthalekar was less quick to slam Curran, suggesting the Englishman may not have heard the umpire’s instruction to cease running on the pitch.
“The first time that he does it, the umpire tries to catch his attention but he’s already run through,” Sthalekar said.
“Then he has the conversation when he’s at the top of the mark, and you could hear the ground announcer – there’s a lot of voice, we’ve got the stump mic.
“This is the first run through: so he’s like “Sorry, mate”, and he keeps running through. He hasn’t heard him.
“I think there is a lot of gesturing, I don’t know if he could actually really hear all of that. We can hear it because of the stump mic.
“I think there was an element of two guys not letting go of their ego.”
“Well, right or wrong, you cannot intimidate an umpire in a physical fashion like that,” former Australian men’s international Brad Hodge interrupted.
“That’s as bad as it sort of gets in terms of physicality towards an umpire.”
However, Sthalekar later doubled down on her criticism of the umpire as well as Curran, as well as suggesting the sanction of four games is too harsh.
“My understanding – the last time this type of level of offence [happened] was Sandpapergate,” she said.
“Yes, it doesn’t look good – I think both were actually slightly in the wrong, albeit the umpire always has the final say. That’s what we’re taught.”
Adding fuel to the fire, SEN‘s Tom Morris alleged Curran called the umpire a ‘f–khead’ during the confrontation.
“My understanding is that he ran past the umpire and then said, ‘If you stand in the way, I’d have nowhere to go, you f–khead’,” Morris said.
“It’s an amazing slur towards the umpire. Even that in itself is worth a suspension.”
However, Sixers boss Rachael Haynes has confirmed the club will ‘vigorously’ appeal against the sanction, arguing Curran didn’t intentionally intimidate the umpire.
“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 3-19 from four overs as the Sixers posted a six-wicket win over the Hurricanes with four balls left.
(with AAP)
Wally James
Roar Guru
The Umpire was standing in front of to where the bowler was running. There was no doubt as to any potential conflict. There was a clear conflict. For generations an umpire has stood or placed his arm extended over the bowling crease to indicate that a bowler should not run there. The umpire had no need to handle the situation better. The player had simply to obey the umpires clear direction.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I think CA is caught between a rock and hard place Tim. I think they really want to come down hard as you suggest, but are wary about doing so because Curran's a well-known international cricketer. CA's desperate to lure big overseas names to play in their cash cow, but are they likely to do that if overseas players are convinced (rightly or wrongly), if they make a mistake about something like this, they'll get severely punished. In other words, if it was an Aussie player who transgressed, he'd be looking at 6 to8 gamess for sure, but because it's not, I reckon they'll stick with the 4 matches.
Blink
Roar Rookie
Bit out of your depth eh Ruaridh. Nothing worthwhile to say. What country are you from . Antarctica by the sound of you.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Oh no, Trevor Chappell rolled a ball in accordance with the rules at the time! Someone could get killed!
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Hopefully it leads to a longer suspension, and a fine for the Sixers for bringing the game into disrepute for defending the indefensible.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
A manchild attempted to intimidate someone doing their job.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
CA missed a trick here by not intervening for a harsher punishment. There isn’t a better opportunity to make a statement saying that umpires must be respected by giving a two season suspension, which Curran utterly deserves. And, for CA’s self interest, the fact that Curran’s an overseas player means that any suspension wouldn’t affect the Australian team. Only the Sixers and the BBL itself would be disadvantaged, but allowing Curran back in 4 games is not fair and is going to result in the kind of coverage that makes his presence a net negative.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
No, he did something worse. Bookies and sandpaper don't really have the potential to injure match officials.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
And then Curran either runs around him and onto the pitch again, or actually runs into him. The umpire did absolutely nothing wrong, and in fact took an unconfrontational action by simply standing in place.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
His intent to intimidate the umpire is really clear when you watch the vision. Had no regard for the umpires authority. Any person acting reasonably would not have run in when the umpire is standing there.......that’s what they do in a game. And he even passed the umpire on the inside near the stumps. Bizzare act that warrants a substantial penalty.
Jon Snow
Roar Rookie
Yep, free hit missed
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I wonder if the penalty is upheld, whether Curran will hang around, serve his time and play out the tournament or have a dummy spit and head back to Blighty? He might surprise me.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I'm guessing the reason for the Sixers defending him is because if they don't Curran and/or other international players might think twice about coming to play in Australia, ie they do something wrong and they're thrown under the bus by their team. Not saying for a second this appeal is justified, (IMO it's a complete nonsense), but can see why Haynes might be doing it.
Ruaridh
Roar Rookie
Sandpaper? Underarm? Come on chief - the one country than can never question anyone’s cricket “morality” is yours xx
Abbot
Roar Rookie
Let’s say the argument of being unable to hear the Ump is true, if the Ump is clearly positioning himself in your path and gesturing at you then common sense and professionalism should tell you to walk up and have a chat where you can hear each other . Bizarre. Is he appealing to the Bairstow code of English moral decency?
JOF
Roar Rookie
Lisa is a former 6er and her good friend Rachel H is GM of 6rs, has a clear conflict. However the umpire could have handled it better. Rather than just stand where he did and gesture from a distance the better course was clearly to walk up to him and tell him. Removes any doubt and any potential for conflict.
Ruaridh
Roar Rookie
Saying it’s “as bad as it gets” is a bit of an overreaction and a bit precious. It’s not as if Curran took sandpaper onto the field or took a bribe from a bookie
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
Totally agree. Guilty as charged. What planet is Lisa from? Quite incredible from her suggesting two people's ego was at play here - one being of course the poor umpire who was only doing his job. I don't know how some of these commentators keep their jobs.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Interesting appeal by Rachel Haynes; Curran could see the ban increased.
DTM
Roar Rookie
When I coached under 15's many years ago, they knew they were not allowed on the pitch before the game. I think 4 games is a light penalty too. He's an idiot.