The Big Bash League (BBL) has upheld Tom Curran’s four-match ban following an unsuccessful appeal by the Sydney Sixers allrounder. Curran expressed deep regret for his actions towards umpire Muhammad Qureshi, emphasizing that while he never intended to collide with the official, he acknowledges the impact of his behavior. The incident occurred before the Sixers’ match against the Hobart Hurricanes on December 11 in Launceston, leading to Curran’s suspension under Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct for umpire intimidation, classified as a Level 3 offense.
Despite the team’s appeal and captain Moises Henriques expressing difficulty in comprehending the severity of the ban, the BBL confirmed the dismissal of Curran’s appeal on Sunday. Consequently, Curran will miss the next three matches against Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder, and Brisbane Heat, having already sat out the win over Adelaide Strikers. He will be eligible to return for the match against Brisbane Heat on January 3 in Coffs Harbour.
BBL General Manager Alistair Dobson emphasized the importance of respecting umpires in cricket, acknowledging Curran’s remorse while underlining the significance of maintaining a respectful relationship between players and match officials. The Sydney Sixers released a detailed statement wherein Curran expressed his regret, citing the incident as an aberration in his otherwise respectful interactions with officials over his professional career.
The club’s Head, Rachael Haynes, defended their decision to appeal while accepting the outcome, reiterating their support for Curran while emphasizing the club’s stance against any form of disrespect towards match officials. Despite their appeal being unsuccessful, the club remains committed to supporting Curran throughout the season, with their next match scheduled for Boxing Day.
