WATCH: Tom Curran's Bizarre Incident With Umpire Which Led to His Four-match Ban in BBL

England paceman Tom Curran grabbed the limelight for all the wrong reasons as he has been banned for four Big Bash League matches. Curran, who plays for Sydney Sixers, faced the ban due to a pre-match altercation with an umpire ahead of his team match against Hobart Hurricanes at Launceston.

He has been charged with a Level 3 offence under the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct. As per Cricket Australia (CA), prior to the commencement of the match, Curran completed a practice run-up in which he ran onto part of the pitch.

The video of the incident has now gone viral on social media platform X where Curran can be seen ignoring the umpire’s warning.

In the video, it can be seen that Curran was on the pitch during the practice run-up when the umpire saw him, he warned him and asked him to do it at the side and not run at the pitch. However, the Englishman didn’t stop and followed it up with another run-up from the other side despite the umpire being standing on the pitch. Curran ran towards him. Eventually, the umpire stepped to his right to avoid the risk of collision.

After the game was over, the Match Referee subsequently charged Curran under 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.

Curran contested the charge, and the matter was heard by Code of Conduct Commissioner, Adrian Anderson. The Commissioner found that Curran committed the offence and imposed a penalty of four suspension points, equating to four KFC BBL matches.

After the verdict came, Sydney Sixers have announced that they will file an appeal against the decision. “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. We will support Tom during this period and look forward to him returning to the field,” said Rachael Haynes, Head of Sydney Sixers.