Sydney Sixers international player Tom Curran has been handed a four-match BBL suspension after an altercation with an umpire during the side's match against the Hobart Hurricanes.
The match referee officially 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", according the League's statement on Thursday.
Curran allegedly ran on to part of the pitch during the Sixers' warm up before the December 11 match at University of Tasmania Stadium, when he was instructed by an umpire to avoid running into that area.
READ MORE: 'Massive overs': Aussie great questions Cummins payday
READ MORE: 'Bittersweet day': Melbourne Cup winners in shock split
READ MORE: Pakistan dealt major blow after first Test hammering
Despite the warning, Curran ignored the directive and ran through the pitch for a second time, before the umpire moved to the stumps to request he move off the pitch again.
Curran then allegedly made a gesture towards the umpire to move off the pitch.
The Sixers international recruit then attempted another pitch run despite the umpire still standing in the way of his run up in the crease.
The umpire then stepped to his right to avoid colliding with Curran.
The match referee went on to charge Curran under article 2.17 of the BBL code of conduct.
Curran contested the charge that was then heard by Adrian Anderson, who slapped the English-born 28-year-old with a four-match ban.
The Sydney Sixers have confirmed they will challenge the suspension.
Head of the Sixers Rachael Haynes defended Curran and declared the club is behind their player.
"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," Haynes said via the Sydney Sixers statement on Thursday.
"We will support Tom during this period and look forward to him returning to the field."
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.