England all-rounder Tom Curran got a four-game ban from the Big Bash League (BBL) because he was found guilty of intimidating an umpire in an argument before a match. Recently picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL Players Auction for Rs 1.5 crore, Curran faced a Level 3 offense and was given four Suspension Points as per clause 2.17 of the CA Code of Conduct. The incident occurred during a BBL match in Launceston earlier this month. Both the franchise and the player plan to appeal the four-match ban.
In a video that went viral, Tom Curran was seen arguing with the fourth umpire, who had asked him not to do a pre-match run-up on the pitch with his spikes on. The fourth umpire, responsible for overseeing the pitch during breaks in play, tried to stop Curran, but the player didn’t cooperate. This led to Curran being charged with a Level 3 violation under Cricket Australia’s code of conduct.
According to CA, Tom Curran did an initial practice run-up on part of the UTAS Stadium surface before being told not to run onto the pitch by the umpire. Curran then went to the other end of the wicket and attempted another practice run-up. The statement from CA mentioned, “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.”
Later, match referee Bob Parry charged Curran with “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire, match referee, or medical personnel whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during a match” under Article 2.17 of the code of conduct.
