The Sydney Sixers have reportedly sought out a groundsman who was in close proximity to the controversial incident involving Tom Curran to give evidence he did not call an umpire a “f***head”.
Prior to the Sixers’ clash against the Hobart Hurricanes, Curran was accused of calling Qureshi a “f***head” after having his practice run-up blocked ahead of last week’s game against the Hurricanes.
Curran has been hit with a four-game ban for allegedly intimidating the umpire, with the Sixers already confirming their intention to appeal.
The English import was charged with a Level 3 offence for “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an Umpire, Match Referee or Medical Personnel whether by language or conduct (including gestures)” under the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct.
However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports the Sixers will contest the meaning of intimidation in the context of Curran’s indiscretion.
Additionally, the Sixers and Curran both strongly deny the English star called Qureshi a “f***head” and brought in a groundsman who was in earshot of the incident to give evidence.
The SMH reports the groundsman said Curran did not call Qureshi a “f***head” and instead called him an “idiot.”
Vision of the incident emerged on Thursday night, showing Curran starting his run-up from one end before the Hobart game, only for the umpire to tell him he could not do so on the pitch pre-match.
The BBL is back! Watch every match live with no ad breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Curran banned after intimidating umpire! | 01:16
Instead, Curran was motioned to run to the side of the umpire, who stood on the pitch himself.
The stump mic caught part of the pair’s exchange, with the umpire initially telling Curran that he can “run here” but “not here”, referencing the pitch itself.
Curran appeared to ignore that directive, running up once again and this time directly towards the umpire almost causing a collision as the Englishman swiftly sidestepped to the right.
The audio that directly followed that moment was not broadcast by Seven on Thursday night, although a bleep is heard at one point.
Now SEN’s Tom Morris has reported what Curran allegedly said to the umpire in the wake of the incident, claiming the Sixers star said: “If you stand in the way I have nowhere go you f***head.”
“My understanding is that he ran past the umpire and then said, ‘If you stand in the way, I’d have nowhere to go, you f***head’. It’s an amazing slur towards the umpire. Even that in itself is worth a suspension,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
The Sixers said in a statement on Thursday night that the club would be appealing 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.”
Discussion about this post