The bit after missing out earlier this year
coincidence for most, for Curran it is the culmination of careful planning months in the making.
“I flew out to the West Indies to join up with the guys before the season and I didn’t get to play, but I always knew these ODIs were coming and that was what I targeted,” he said.
“I was disappointed to miss out in March but it was nice to be a part of that environment and get a taste for it, and I definitely left there hungry.
“I felt very comfortable there, I left wanting more and I knew that if I could keep working and put in those performances then a reward like this may be around the corner.
“I’m excited, I’ve put in the work and if I get given the go, hopefully I’ll take it.”
From the outside, a lack of confidence may seem beyond the psyche of the right-armer.
Yet scratch a little deeper and you’ll find Curran desperate and determined in equal measure, still possessing the child-like cheek and charm that saw him wake younger brother Sam at 7am to break the news of his winter call-up.
If international cricket is anything to go by so far – boasting T20 figures of 3-33 and 2-22 – then Tom is set to be just fine.
But rather than be overawed or giddy for the big occasion, the Durban-born quick is confident this is the moment he can shine brightest of all, hoping to prove his worth when Chris Gayle and co. come to town. “You want to be playing against the best, I want to be able to challenge myself against those top players in the world and it’s an exciting chance,” he added.
“I’ve been able to do that in the T20s, and that was a relief as much as anything.
“I had a lot of nerves before that day, but once I got out there and started playing, particularly in that second game, I was really able to enjoy the occasion.
“I got a lot from those games and the way I felt about myself, and being able to carry that into the England games, made a massive difference.”