Big Bash League side Sydney Sixers all-rounder Tom Curran, brother of England cricket team all-rounder Sam, has been slapped with a four-match ban in the ongoing T20 league for an altercation with an umpire during his side's clash against the Hobart Hurricanes at the North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground in Launceston on December 11. (IND Vs RSA Match Blog | Cricket News)
Post the incident, the Englishman has been charged under the Article 2.17 of the code of conduct for "intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire, match referee or medical personnel whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during a match".
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Australia's premier cricketing body, Cricket Australia (CA) have issued a statement wherein they stated that the incident occured when Curran was going through his pre-match routine and performing his practice run-up on the pitch. The fourth umpire at the match, who was by the pitch to oversee the proceedings, warned Curran. However, the Englishman ignored the warning and went to the other side of the pitch to perform his practice run-ups.
"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," CA's statement read.
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Not happy with the response, the fourth umpire finally blocked Curran's path by eventually asking him to stop running on the pitch again. The cricketer asked the official to move out of the way and continued with his run-up as he headed straight into the official which prompted the latter to move out to avoid a collision.
Following the charge, the head of Sixes Rachael Haynes commented, "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."
