Sydney Sixers’ Tom Curran ‘deeply regrets’ umpire incident which led to four-match ban

Tom Curran says he “deeply regrets” the incident that saw him penalised with a four-match ban for intimidating an umpire.

Cricket Australia’s investigation found that the Sydney Sixers all-rounder was involved in a disagreement with umpire Muhammad Qureshi ahead of a Big Bash game against Hobart Hurricanes.

"I have had a lot of time to reflect on my actions and the incident," said Curran after he lost an appeal against the punishment. "My preparation for every fixture is deeply methodical and my focus is intense during the warm-up.

"Part of my preparation is to do a run through and gauge my run up on that particular surface. I've done this before every match and for me it's part of my routine for every match.

"The interaction with umpire Qureshi took me by surprise at a time when I was very focused on my pre-match routine. I didn't expect the stand-off that resulted.

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

The incident between Curran and Qureshi, which took place earlier in December, occurred after the fourth umpire asked the Sixers’ player not to run on the pitch.

It was determined that Curran "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".

Cricket Australia ruled that the incident was deemed to be "intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire or match referee".

The Big Bash League rules state that only the captain and team coach have the right to walk on and asses the pitch in the build-up to a match.

Curran added: "My intention was always to veer off to umpire Qureshi'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."

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