Days after the IPL auction 2024, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) latest overseas signing has been banned from participating in four Big Bash League 2023–24 matches. In a surprising turn of events in the ongoing BBL, England’s Tom Curran, a pivotal player for the Sydney Sixers, has found himself amid controversy. The suspension follows a pre-match altercation with an umpire during the warm-up session before the Sixers’ clash against the Hobart Hurricanes on December 11.
The dispute originated when Curran attempted a practice run-up on the pitch, defying instructions from the umpire. The situation escalated when the fourth umpire intervened, leading to a Level 3 offence charge under Cricket Australia’s code of conduct.
According to Cricket Australia’s statement, Curran disregarded the umpire’s instructions. Further, in an attempt to continue his practice, he gestured aggressively for the umpire to move away, ultimately attempting a run-up directly towards the official.
Watch Tom Curran’s unruly behaviour:
Reason behind Tom Curran's suspension.pic.twitter.com/9VRZfTSWwo
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 21, 2023
Match referee Bob Parry charged Curran with “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire” under Article 2.17 of the code of conduct. Despite Curran’s contestation of the charge, he was found guilty, resulting in a four-match ban. This will see him miss crucial fixtures against the Adelaide Strikers, Stars, Thunder, and Heat.
The Sydney Sixers are set to file an appeal against Tom Curran’s ban
In response to the ban, Rachael Haynes, Head of Sydney Sixers, announced the club’s intention to appeal the decision vigorously. Haynes expressed the club’s belief that Curran did not intentionally intimidate the match official and pledged full support to the player during this challenging period.
The controversy comes at an unfortunate time for Curran, who had recently been picked by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2024 auction. Despite this setback, Curran’s stellar T20 performances in 2023, amassing 430 runs and taking 20 wickets, have undoubtedly contributed to his value in the T20. He was bought for INR 1.5 crore in an accelerated round of auction.
