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 “threatening or attempting to intimidate the referee” and video footage was recorded as evidence of the incident in question. In the video, Curran is seen practicing his run-up on the pitch before the match between Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston. The referee, who was standing at the goal line guarding the field, told him not to do something like this again. Curran ran in anyway, avoiding the officer at the last moment as he took evasive action.
Curran has faced criticism for his actions, but Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques defended his character and said the footage of the incident lacked “context”. Hogg, who has played 145 games for Australia and currently works as a commentator for the BBL, felt he had reason to criticize the referee in the video.
“Not Tom’s brightest moment but the blame lies with the referee,” Hogg tweeted. “Instead of approaching Tom in a smiling, non-confrontational manner to defuse the situation, he acted in an intimidating manner and appeared to be seeking 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) 22. December 2023
England spinner Jake Lintott questioned the rules that prevented Curran from running onto the pitch in the first place.
“In my opinion I’ve never seen a referee (in England) who wouldn’t allow this. Just practicing training,” he tweeted. “What kind of damage does he actually cause by practicing his run-up? I don’t mind that he violated the referee’s wishes and rules, but why is that a rule? It seems trivial to me. It seems like.”
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) 21. December 2023
Sydney Sixers plan to appeal Curran’s suspension.
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