Tom Curran’s rise continues with IPL deal

Cricket365
April 2, 2018

England allrounder Tom Curran has capped a breakout season for his national team with a gig in the 2018 Indian Premier League.

Curran has singed for the Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for injured Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc.

He will now meet up with his side before their first match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday 8 April.

Curran said of the deal: “I’m thrilled and excited to be joining Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL.

“I know from chatting to other players I can learn a lot from being in that environment, skills that I hope will benefit Surrey and my chances of representing England again this year and if selected, for next year’s World Cup.

“I want to thank Alec Stewart and everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club for supporting my ambitions and allowing me this great opportunity. I can’t wait to represent Surrey again when I return, hopefully with a few more tricks up my sleeve.”

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart would have preferred to have Curran in the Surrey camp for their preseason and the start of the domestic campaign but understands that the allrounder could not pass up the oppourtunity.

Stewart said: “Losing Tom to the IPL for the first part of the season is not ideal from a Surrey viewpoint but as a club we have a duty to help England and our players in achieving their goals and ambitions.

“The experience he will gain through playing in the IPL can only help develop his game which in turn will give England a greater chance of winning the 2019 World Cup. His absence from the Surrey team will allow other players on our staff to stand up, perform and grab their opportunity.”