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England all-rounder Tom Curran, the latest addition to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction, has been slapped with a four-match ban during his stint with Sydney Sixers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL|13).
Altercation with umpire sparks controversy
Curran’s ban stems from a pre-match altercation with an umpire in Launceston, where he attempted a practice run-up on the pitch during the warm-up ahead of Sydney Sixers’ clash against Hobart Hurricanes on December 11. The incident has led to serious consequences for the 28-year-old all-rounder.
Level 3 offence
The fourth umpire, responsible for supervising the pitch during breaks in play, attempted to stop Curran, resulting in a Level 3 offence charge under the Cricket Australia code of conduct. Match referee Bob Parry charged Curran under Article 2.17 for “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire,” leading to a four-match ban, equating to four suspension points.
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Club to appeal decision
Sydney Sixers, representing Curran, have expressed their intention to appeal the decision vigorously. Head of Sydney Sixers, Rachael Haynes, asserted that Curran did not knowingly or intentionally intimidate a match official. The club plans to contest the ban, providing legal support to their player.
As a consequence of the ban, Curran will miss crucial BBL matches, including the clash with Adelaide Strikers at the SCG, as well as games against the Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder, and Brisbane Heat. Haynes, the Head of Sydney Sixers, affirmed the club’s support for Curran during this challenging period. In an official statement, she maintained that the player did not intentionally intimidate the match official and emphasized the club’s commitment to his defense.
RCB’s high-stakes acquisition
Notably, Curran’s recent acquisition by RCB for INR 1.5 crore adds another layer of significance to the ban, as fans speculate on how this development might impact the team dynamics, with Curran set to join the likes of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, and Dinesh Karthik under the leadership of Faf du Plessis in the IPL 2024.
