New boy Curran’s fitness fix proves perfect preparation

ENGLAND new boy Tom Curran has revealed how winter work in the gym has given him an edge on the field this summer.

Surrey seamer Curran made his bow in the second match of England’s NatWest International T20 Series against South Africa on Friday.

Although England were beaten by three runs in a thrilling Taunton climax, leaving the series perfectly poised at 1-1 ahead of today’s finale in Cardiff, Curran showed his worth by taking three for 33 from four overs.

Curran removed Proteas opener Reeza Hendricks with his second ball, and the scalps of Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo saw him become only the fifth England player to take three wickets on his T20 debut.

England captain Eoin Morgan said the 22-yearold has added extra pace this summer and Curran later outlined the reasons behind that.

“Coming out of school I’ve had my first couple of summers with Surrey,” Curran said.

“I’ve bowled a lot of overs and that limited how my pace was.

“But I worked hard in the gym this winter and gathered a yard. So that’s positive.

“You get stronger, you get to know your action a bit more and you’re just developing.

“I’m still only 22 and hopefully as I get older I can put on a couple more yards.”

Curran, the son of the late Zimbabwe all-rounder Kevin, was born in Cape Town and represented KwaZulu-Natal Inland from Under-15 to Under-19 level.

But he made his Surrey debut in 2013 and was later joined in the first XI there by his younger brother Sam, who is currently part of the the England Lions set-up.

“We’re both taking small steps at a time and hopefully this is the start of a long career with England for myself,” Curran said.

“The dream is to play for England with my brother and I guess you could stay this is the start.

“I play all three formats for Surrey and I see myself as a three-format player.

“This is obviously a start for me and hopefully that will happen.”

Curran made his England debut after spending time with the senior squad in the Caribbean at the start of March.

He was summoned halfway across the world after playing in the Lions’ two unofficial Tests in Sri Lanka – where he took took 10 wickets at an average of just under 19 – to provide cover for the injured Jake Ball.

And although he professed that playing against the country of his birth on Friday “did not cross my mind”, Curran felt he was ready for the challenge of international cricket.

“I was obviously disappointed not to play in the Caribbean, but it was a great experience for me to be around that environment for the first time,” Curran said.

“I’ve been quietly confident where my game has been for the last couple of months.

“I was backing my skills and I knew when I got my chance I would be ready.

“But I don’t think anything can prepare you for when you actually get out there – the nerves, the adrenaline.

“Being critical there’s a few things I would improve on, but if you’d offered me those figures at the start of the day I would have bitten your arm off.” England’s new seamer Tom Curran