Hurricane Tom all set for Big Bash stint

TOM CURRAN is set to join Hobart Hurricanes for this winter’s Big Bash ahead of England’s limited-overs series in Australia and New Zealand.

The 22-year-old Surrey fast bowler has been called up for tomorrow’s sole Twenty20 against West Indies in Durham and the five-match one-day series that follows.

It comes after Curran made an impressive start to his international career earlier this summer, taking five wickets at an average of 11 in two T20s against South Africa at Taunton and Cardiff.

Now it appears Curran’s rise to the England ranks has earned him his first shot at playing in Australia’s Big Bash, with The Cricket Paper understanding that a deal with Hobart has been agreed.

Earlier this year, the Hurricanes appointed former South Africa and India coach Gary Kirsten following a disappointing campaign that saw them finish second-bottom of the BBL.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting played a major role in that appointment after taking on a consultancy role with the club.

And it appears Ponting has taken advice from Surrey head coach Michael Di Venuto, his fellow Tasmanian and long-time Australia team-mate, to sign Curran.

The move would give Curran valuable experience of a major T20 franchise competition for the first time and also be sound preparation ahead of England’s one-day series in Australia in January and the T20 Tri-Series, also involving New Zealand, that follows.

Hobart also want another Englishman in Tymal Mills, the Sussex T20 specialist who this year earned a £1.4million IPL payday with Royal Challengers Bangalore.