|| CF DESK ||

England’s Tom Curran has been banned for four games in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) after being charged for intimidating an umpire.

The Sydney Sixers player was involved in an incident with an umpire while attempting to perform his pre-match practice run-ups on the pitch. This led to a charge of intimidation against the umpire, a serious Level 3 offence under Cricket Australia's code of conduct.

"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. 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," said CA in a statement.

It was deemed a level three offence under clause 2.17 of the CA code – which covers “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire or match referee” – leading to four penalty points and a four-game ban.