England and Sydney Sixers all-rounder Tom Curran has been handed a four-match ban for intimidating an umpire before a Big Bash League (BBL) 2023/24 game, the team said on Thursday.

The 28-year-old England international was charged with a “Level 3” offence under the Cricket Australia (CA) Code of Conduct for his altercation with the official during a practice session ahead of the Sixers’ clash with the Hobart Hurricanes on December 11 in Launceston.

Tom Curran was found guilty of the offence at a hearing and Sydney Sixers head Rachael Haynes said the team and the player would “vigorously appeal” the sanction.

CA said Tom Curran completed a practice run-up in which he ran onto part of the pitch and was instructed by the umpire not to.

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He moved to the opposite end to complete another practice run-up but the umpire took a position next to the stumps, blocking the player from approaching the pitch.

“[Tom] Curran was seen in the footage gesturing to the umpire to move away… He then attempted to perform a practice run up and run at pace straight towards the umpire who stood in the bowling crease facing Curran,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.

“The umpire stepped to his right to avoid the risk of collision.”

Tom Curran will be unavailable for matches against Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars, Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat.

However, the right-arm pacer and his BBL franchise will file a formal appeal against the decision.

“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,” Head of Sydney Sixers Rachael Haynes said.

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

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