Vision emerges of incident that led to Curran's four-game ban

Footage has emerged of the incident that saw Sydney Sixers import Tom Curran banned for the next four matches after being found guilty of intimidation of an umpire, as the club vows to appeal the sanction.

The vision – captured by host broadcaster Channel Seven's fixed pitch and stump cameras – shows the altercation that took place between Curran and the fourth umpire prior to the Sixers' last match against Hobart Hurricanes on December 11 in Launceston.

The incident led to the Englishman being charged with a Level 3 offence under the Cricket Australia code of conduct.

Curran is clearly seen in the footage practicing his run-up onto one end of the UTAS Stadium pitch during the warm-up, which is forbidden under section 6.3 on the KFC BBL|13 playing conditions.

The action immediately caught the attention of the fourth umpire – who is tasked with supervising the pitch during breaks in play – and he followed Curran to the opposite end of the wicket where he was setting up to do another practice of his run-up.

CA said in a statement Curran ran onto the pitch during his initial practice run-up and was instructed by the umpire not to do it again.

"The umpire took position next to the stumps, blocking Curran from approaching the pitch and gestured to Curran to move away from the pitch," the statement read.

"Curran was seen in the footage gesturing to the umpire to move away from the pitch."

The umpire can be heard on the stump microphone telling Curran "You can run here" as he gestured to the area adjacent to the pitch, and then "not here, you can't" while pointing to the area where he was standing between the bowling and popping creases.

But Curran can be seen in the footage continuing with his attempt of another practice run-up even as the umpire blocked his path, with only the English allrounder's sidestep to his right and the umpire's slight step away from the stumps preventing a collision.

"Curran then attempted to perform a practice run-up and run at pace straight towards the umpire who stood in the bowling crease facing Curran. The umpire stepped to his right to avoid the risk of collision," CA said.

After narrowly avoiding a collision with the official, Curran turns around and exchanges words with the umpire while waving his hand for him to move out of the way.

Curran was subsequently charged by match referee Bob Parry under Article 2.17 of the code of conduct for "intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire, match referee or medical personnel whether by language or conduct (including gestures) during a match".

Curran contested the charge but was found guilty, with four suspension points – which equates to four BBL matches – his punishment.

The ban means the 28-year-old will miss the Sixers' clash with Adelaide Strikers at the SCG tomorrow night, as well as matches against the Stars (December 26), Thunder (December 30) and Heat (January 1).

Head of Sydney Sixers, Rachael Haynes, confirmed the club would "vigorously appeal" the four-match sanction.

"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.

"We will support Tom during this period and look forward to him returning to the field."

Under section 6.3 of the BBL|13 playing conditions, only the captain and team coach are permitted to walk on the pitch to assess its condition prior to the start of play, with spiked footwear also not allowed at this time.

The Sixers said Curran told the hearing that practicing his run-up was part of his usual pre-match routine and on this instance, he ran towards the stumps where the match official was standing.

If the ban is upheld, it's a blow for the third-placed Sixers who only expected to have Curran for nine home-and-away matches after retaining him with pick No.3 in September's BBL|13 Draft. The allrounder is then set to head to the UAE to play for Desert Vipers in the ILT20 competition.

Curran picked up 3-19 from his four overs against the Hurricanes and hit the winning runs with a four off compatriot Chris Jordan in the final over.

The Sixers have seven days to lodge their appeal.

KFC BBL|13 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	No results N/R	Net Run Rate NRR	Deductions Ded.	Total points PTS
1 Brisbane Heat Men HEA	10	7	1	0	2	0.972	0	16
2 Sydney Sixers Men SIX	10	6	2	0	2	0.339	0	14
3 Perth Scorchers Men SCO	10	6	3	0	1	0.725	0	13
4 Adelaide Strikers Men STR	10	5	4	0	1	0.331	0	11
5 Hobart Hurricanes Men HUR	10	4	6	0	0	-0.268	0	8
6 Melbourne Stars Men STA	10	4	6	0	0	-1.051	0	8
7 Melbourne Renegades Men REN	10	2	6	0	2	-0.288	0	6
8 Sydney Thunder Men THU	10	1	7	0	2	-0.652	0	4

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

N/R: No results

NRR: Net Run Rate

Ded.: Deductions

PTS: Total points

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