Tom Curran apologises as appeal against four-game BBL ban is rejected

The allrounder will miss three more matches and is available to return against Brisbane Heat on January 3. Curran has expressed regret and made a personal apology to umpire Muhammad Quesrshi for his actions before the match against Hobart Hurricanes

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Tom Curran will serve the remainder of his four-match ban for umpire intimidation after having an appeal against the suspension rejected by the Big Bash League.

The England allrounder was charged and found guilty of a Level 3 breach of Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct following an incident which took place before Sydney Sixers' match against Hobart Hurricanes on December 11.

Sixers launched an appeal hoping to prove the application of the regulation was inconsistent with previous instances and though Curran is said to have displayed genuine remorse, the ban remains.

Having already missed the victory over Adelaide Strikers on Friday (December 22), he will miss the next three games against Melbourne Stars (December 26), Sydney Thunder (December 30) and Brisbane Heat (January 1).

Curran is free to return to action for the home match against Heat on January 3.

His stint is only scheduled to run for the first nine matches of Sixers' campaign having signed a deal with Desert Vipers in the ILT20, which begins on January 19.

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Curran must wait until the New Year to return to action (Matt King/Getty Images)

In a lengthy statement responding to the judgement, Curran has sought to clarify his actions which saw him warned not to run on the pitch during practice before the game against the Hurricanes earlier this month.

Umpire Muhammad Quesrshi then stood next to the stumps to deter Curran, who has played two Tests, 28 ODIs and 30 T20Is for England, from repeating the action.

But Curran approached the crease again, with Quesrshi having to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

"The interaction with Umpire Quesrshi took me by surprise at a time when I was very focused on my pre-match routine," he said. "I didn’t expect the stand-off that resulted.

"I deeply regret the way I reacted to it and the resultant impact for Umpire Quereshi, the Sydney Sixers and myself personally.

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Curran has played 60 times for England across all three formats, his last outing coming in 2021 (LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)

"My intention was always to veer off to Umpire Quershi’s right, in a similar way to my run up at the other end. I had never considered running into him and never considered that he would think that was my intention. However, on reflection, I should have repositioned my run up a metre or so to my left.  I would not do the same if the situation arose again, and I am sorry.

"With the benefit of hindsight, I also could have approached Umpire Quereshi during the fixture to discuss the interaction, hear his perspective and offer mine. I regret not doing this.

"I am genuinely sorry that I chose to continue to practice my run-up in the direction of Umpire Quereshi and if he ever thought I sought to make physical contact with him."

Head of cricket Rachael Haynes added: "While we support Tom as a valued member of the club, in no way do we condone any sort of disrespect towards match officials. This was a regrettable situation and one that Tom has shown remorse for.

"We sought to appeal the original decision based on previous Code of Conduct cases. Whilst not disagreeing that Tom had breached the code through his conduct, we felt that the charge was inconsistent with other offences. Following the ruling, we respect that not to be the case."


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