Ben Curran: Three brothers in international cricket is something we can all be really proud of
Zimbabwe have not played a Test against England since June 2003. Ben Curran was seven years old at the time and, 22 years later, will likely open the batting for Zimbabwe against England at Trent Bridge this month.
Born in England and a first-class cricketer for Northamptonshire from 2018 to 2022, Curran has since forged a professional career in Zimbabwe.
Currans among famous cricket families
He is the son of former Zimbabwe all-rounder Kevin Curran and brother to England cricketers Sam Curran and Tom Curran. Since debuting in international cricket late last year, Ben has collected more Test match caps than Tom and more ODI centuries – one – than Sam.
“When my contract ended at Northamptonshire, it was an easy decision to move to Zimbabwe and give it a crack. It took me a year or two of putting in performances at domestic level in Zimbabwe before recognition for international cricket came my way,” Curran told Club Cricket SA.
“One thing I didn’t want to do was look for another deal elsewhere in England. I wasn’t going to go for trials again and get runs in second XI cricket, which I had done for many years before. I wasn’t in the frame of mind to do that – it was a simple decision for me.
“A lot has happened since my international debut, but the road leading into that wasn’t exactly quick. I was ready and the timing was right for me to make my way into international cricket. I’m trying to learn as quickly as possible – and adjust to international cricket as quickly as possible. My experience from county cricket, I hope, will speed up my progress in international cricket.
“Three brothers in international cricket – this is something we can all be really proud of, the way we have gone about it, what we have achieved so far. For me, I’m forging my own path in Zimbabwe. I like how things are progressing for me. Everyone has their own path – this is mine.
“During my time in England, I wasn’t necessarily in the shadows, but I was always just behind. Now I’m in Zimbabwe – I’m not in England anymore. I can do my own thing. This is a new chapter for me – there are so many ways this can go. I have everything to gain. Opportunity is in front of me. You put a lot of pressure on yourself as a professional athlete in general, but I just want to enjoy my cricket. I’m trying to give myself the best chance of succeeding.”
The last time Zimbabwe played a Test against England, Dion Ebrahim and Mark Vermeulen opened the batting, Grant Flower was in the middle order and Heath Streak was captain.
“It’s going to be a massive moment. I haven’t got too many expectations as to how it might go – it’s a cricket game, anything can happen, so that’s the exciting part. I’m sure the bookies will have England as favourites, but that’s the beauty of it – you never know what can happen. We have been playing some good cricket leading into this match. Performing on one of the biggest stages – a Test match in England – can only do Zimbabwe cricket as a whole and the players as individuals the world of good,” added Curran.
With at least two years’ experience of first-class cricket in each of England and Zimbabwe, Curran is well placed to compare the two. His six first-class half-centuries for Northamptonshire in England have been followed by four centuries for the Rhinos and three for Southerns in Zimbabwe. This includes last month’s two centuries in one match for Southerns against Northerns in Harare.
“The conditions are a massive factor. The ball is a big one. You use different balls. In England, it’s the Dukes ball. In Zimbabwe, it’s the Kookaburra. The Dukes ball has quite a pronounced seam and does a lot more – it moves off the wicket. In Zimbabwe, the Kookaburra ball doesn’t do a lot and doesn’t tend to move too much – it may swing early on, but doesn’t nip thereafter,” he continued.
“Durham toured Zimbabwe recently and we played with a Dukes ball – that was some decent preparation for me. But that’s something I am going to have to work on going forward – batting against a nipping ball and adjusting accordingly.
“In terms of professionalism in Zimbabwe compared to England, it’s tough to compare the two. The environments and cultures are very different. There’s always going to be guys who approach the professionalism aspect differently – both in England and Zimbabwe. It’s about what works for you, giving yourself the best opportunity to perform well at a high level.”
Curran’s Test career started in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, against Afghanistan and Ireland, moved through Bangladesh and – this month – will continue in England. His one Test victory to date was against Bangladesh in Sylhet last month.
“It was a very enjoyable moment for everyone involved in Zimbabwe cricket. To go to Bangladesh, to win in foreign conditions, is something I will look back on as a really great achievement. It’s not just about adapting to the wickets over there, it’s also about adapting to the weather. It’s incredibly hot. You’re sweating loads. You’re trying to change your gloves every few overs. Those are all little factors that play into learning how to score big runs in difficult conditions,” said Curran.
“The wicket in Sylhet wasn’t typical of Bangladesh – it had a lot more bounce and didn’t spin that much. I’m not sure Bangladesh will want to play us there again. Let’s just say that the next wicket they prepared, in Chattogram, spun a bit more and they had a big victory over us in the second Test.”
Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani was named player of the match after taking nine wickets in Sylhet – and has since risen to 15th position in the International Cricket Council’s rankings for Test bowlers. Curran, meanwhile, has climbed 20 positions to 94th in the ICC’s rankings for Test batsmen.
“Blessing is a really talented bowler. He was actually at Northants when I was there. He was learning his trade then and has come a long way since. He’s tall, of course, and extracts a lot of bounce. If there is bounce to be found in any wicket, he’s definitely going to find it. I think he is a much-improved bowler. He’s a big asset for Zimbabwe cricket and our team. I reckon he will play a big role in the upcoming Test against England,” added Curran.
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