‘Character assassination’: Sydney Sixers come out in defence of Tom Curran

The Sydney Sixers have come out swinging in defence of English star Tom Curran who was hit with a four-game ban from the Big Bash.

Sydney Sixers skipper Moises Henriques says he’s “very surprised” by the four-game ban handed down to teammate Tom Curran for his altercation with an umpire last week, with the veteran all-rounder worried that the social media pile-on could be an “assassination of his character” without all the facts being known.

Cricket Australia announced on Thursday night that Curran had been charged with a level three offence under the code of conduct for intimidating an umpire when he completed a practice run up on the pitch in Launceston despite being told not to.

The Englishman ran straight at the umpire who moved at the last moment to avoid a collision, with Curran subsequently banned for four BBL matches, although the Sixers have confirmed they will appeal.

“I’m very surprised,” Henriques told Fox Cricket before Friday’s game against the Strikers.

“We obviously don’t condone any untoward behaviour towards umpires or any umpiring staff, but I still can’t quite understand the decision.

“I also don’t have all the information at hand, but I’ve known Tom for a long time. I played with him at Surrey and he’s been a big part of the Sixers for a long time, so I can’t help but think we haven’t quite understood the context of the altercation.

“He’s a great man, he’s a real leader in the community and he’s a real leader in this team so I’m struggling to comprehend that sort of penalty for what he’s done.”

The run-up that cost Tom Curran four games of the BBL season.

Aussie legend Mark Waugh said the ban was way too long and that he’d be happy if Curran missed two matches instead which might end up happening given CA will struggle to assemble a legal team in the days before Christmas.

That could have been avoided had it not taken so long for them to hand down a punishment for something that happened on December 11.

“It took 10 days just to get a hearing in the first place which is very unusual,” said Henriques who is concerned that the personal attacks on social media will affect his teammate.

“We’re definitely going to appeal.

“All the players and all our staff are behind him.

Tom Curran umpire intimidation: Pic: 7 Cricket

“It’s been a pretty tough time for ‘TC’ over the past 11 or 12 days sitting on this, and knowing what he’s like, he’s taken this to heart and he’s really worried about the assassination of his character.

“It’s a big claim so I’m wishing him the best.”

Henriques was on the field when the incident occurred and says it’s unfair to judge Curran based on a short clip.

“I was out there at the time and I saw it,” he said.

“I didn’t (think much of it) and I don’t think anyone else did at the time.

“I’ve seen the 10 second clip and it doesn’t look great, but you can’t quite understand the context either.

“There was a bit of communication before and after and that probably hasn’t been released.”

Originally published as ‘Character assassination’: Sydney Sixers come out in defence of Tom Curran