Sydney Sixers star Tom Curran suspended for four matches in BBL13 bombshell

One of the Big Bash League’s biggest stars faces being sidelined for almost half the season after being charged with intimidating an umpire. Watch the full incident here.

The Sydney Sixers are appealing after all-rounder Tom Curran was sensationally suspended for four Big Bash League matches after being found guilty of intimidating an umpire.

The Englishman, one of the BBL’s most enduring and successful imports, was found to have disobeyed umpire instructions not to run on the pitch before his side’s match against Hobart in Launceston December 11 before then changing ends and running in the direction of an umpire who was forced to baulk at the last minute to avoid being hit.

According to a release from Cricket Australia on Thursday night, former AFL executive Adrian Anderson, now a code of conduct commissioner with CA, deemed Curran to have seriously breached the rules.

The vision everyone's been waiting for.

This is the series of events that's led to Tom Curran's four-game suspension... pic.twitter.com/CRcBujbIl0

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 21, 2023

“Prior to the commencement of the match Curran completed a practice run up in which he ran onto part of the pitch; Curran was verbally instructed by the Umpire not to run on to the pitch;

Following this, Curran moved to the opposite end of the pitch 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; 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 said.

Tom Curran attempts a catch during the Sixers’ match against Hobart. Picture: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images

“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.”

Sixers chief Rachael Haynes said the club would seek an appeal.

“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,” Haynes said.

Curran is certainly out of the Sixers’ next game on Friday night against the Adelaide Strikers but the club is seeking to expedite an appeal to allow him to play in the Sixers’ next match on Boxing Day.

Tom Curran charges in against the Hurricanes. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Originally published as Sydney Sixers star Tom Curran suspended for four matches in BBL13 bombshell