Tom Curran has apologised after his four-match BBL 2023/24 ban for intimidating an umpire was upheld by Cricket Australia following an unsuccessful appeal by Sydney Sixers against the sanction.

Curran was found guilty of breaching Article 2.17 of Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct for “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire.”

The Sixers lodged an appeal to overturn the decision, with support from their captain Moises Henriques, who said that the video evidence lacked “context”, defending his teammate’s character.

But Cricket Australia has remained firm in its ruling. In a statement, Alistair Dobson, General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, said: “Umpires are part of the lifeblood of cricket and it is essential they are respected and appreciated by players at all levels of the game.”

The seamer will now miss the upcoming encounters against Melbourne Stars on Boxing Day and Brisbane Heat on New Year’s Day and will not return until January 3.

Video footage showed Curran performing a pre-match practice run-up on the pitch. He was told not to do so again by umpire Muhammad Qureshi, who stood at the crease to guard the pitch. In spite of this, Curran ran in again, side-stepping the official at the last moment.

Curran has since apologised for his actions. “The interaction with umpire Qureshi 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 Qureshi, the Sydney Sixers and myself personally.

“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.

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

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