Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis spotted doing controversial act amid Tom Curran BBL drama
- Footage shows Stoinis performing a run-through before the match
- Players are not allowed to run onto the field before a match
- Curran was suspended for assaulting a referee
Footage has emerged of Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis doing a similar run-through on the pitch to what recently led to an incident involving England cricketer Tom Curran.
Curran was suspended for four Big Big League matches after a vision emerged of him charging at a referee at full speed before launching a verbal tirade ahead of the match against the Hobart Hurricanes.
The umpire instructed Curran not to run on the wicket during his warm-up, in accordance with the Laws of the Game, and stood in his way to prevent him running onto the field.
While the vision clearly shows Curran running towards the referee, his skipper Henriques has gone to bat for him and challenged a level three offense under the code of conduct for intimidating a referee.
The controversial incident took another turn when reporter Tom Decent posted a video of Stoinis doing a similar pre-match run-through onto the field on December 13, but not running into an official.
Stoinis, as captain, is allowed by cricket rules to inspect the field before the match, but he is not allowed to run on it to practice a run-up.
“I do not express an opinion or condone what Tom Curran did last night,” Decent wrote.
'Just a video to show that during this year's Big Bash there have been examples of players doing a run-through on the pitch before a match.
'The referee was there. Profession will be interesting.”
Some cricket fans responded to Decent's post pointing out that the England paceman had been suspended for harassing an official, while others wondered why the umpire had not told Stoinis to stop.
Curran's charges specifically state “intimidation or attempted intimidation of a referee, match referee or medical staff, whether through language or conduct (including gestures).”
Curran was instructed not to enter the field and then went to the other side to complete another practice run-up.
“You can run here, but not here,” the referee was heard telling Curran, as he also used his arms to show where he could run.
Stoinis was spotted doing a run-through on the pitch before the match, which is not allowed
Curran has been suspended for four Big Big League matches after a vision emerged of him charging at a referee at full speed before launching a verbal tirade
Curran then attempted a practice run-up and steamed at pace straight towards the umpire, who was standing opposite him in the bowling alley.
To add insult to injury, Curran then turned to deliver a spray to the referee.
Channel Nine journalist Tom Morris revealed what he said on SEN: 'Tom Curran said word for word to the fourth referee after running past him: 'If you're in the way there's nowhere for me to go, you bastard.'
Curran's actions in the video have been widely condemned by cricket fans, with many saying the punishment is too lenient and the Sixers are being flogged for appealing the four-match ban.
Former Australian bowler Merv Hughes led the talks, writing: 'So they should appeal… I don't think the four match ban is even remotely harsh enough!!!! Should have gotten 10!!'
“Should be banned for the entire season,” one fan wrote.
'To appeal it, they have to add four more games and the sixes have to be deducted. Appealing means they condone this behavior,” another added.
'Send him home. Rip up his contract and don't appeal the decision,” wrote another.