Brad Hogg has criticised Muhammad Qureshi, the umpire involved in the incident that has seen Tom Curran banned for four Big Bash League games, saying that he could have done more to “de-escalate” the situation.

Curran was reported under Article 2.17 of the Code of Conduct for “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an Umpire”, with video footage shedding light on the incident in question. In it, Curran can be seen performing a practice run-up on the match pitch before Sydney Sixers’ game against Hobart Hurricanes at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston. He was instructed not to do so again by the umpire, who stood at the crease to guard the pitch. Curran ran in regardless, side-stepping the official at the last moment as he took evasive action.

Curran has come under fire for his actions, though his Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has defended his character, also saying there is “context” missing from the clip of the incident. Hogg, who played 145 times for Australia and is currently working as a commentator on the BBL, felt that, in the clip, there was reason to criticise the umpire.

“Not Tom’s brightest moment but the umpires at fault to[sic],” Hogg tweeted. “Rather than walking closer to Tom in a non confrontational manner with a smile to de-escalate the situation he stood in an intimidating manner seeming looking for confrontation”.

Not Tom's brightest moment but the umpires at fault to, rather than walking closer to Tom in a non confrontational manner with a smile to de-escalate the situation he stood in an intimidating manner seeming looking for confrontation. #BBL2023 https://t.co/36gNGrguvU

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 22, 2023

English spinner Jake Lintott has questioned the rule which saw Curran stopped from running onto the pitch in the first place.

“My thoughts are that I’ve never seen an umpire not allow this (in England), I practice mine just like this,” he tweeted. “What harm is he actually causing by practicing his run up? Fair enough if he’s gone against the umpires wishes/rules, but why is that a rule? Seems petty to me.”

My thoughts are that I’ve never seen an umpire not allow this (in England), I practice mine just like this. What harm is he actually causing by practicing his run up? Fair enough if he’s gone against the umpires wishes/rules, but why is that a rule? Seems petty to me.

— Jake Lintott (@lintott23) December 21, 2023

Sydney Sixers are set to appeal Curran’s ban.

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