Sam Curran and Tom Curran: Why it could be next stop England for the brothers transforming Surrey

Flashback: Sam Curran and Tom Curran in action last year
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Tom Collomosse1 September 2016

In an exciting era for cricket in this country, what could capture the imagination better than this: two brothers combining to help England win the World Cup for the first time?

Cricket has had its fair share of fraternal partnerships. The Waugh twins, Steve and Mark, were perhaps the most famous in the modern era, winning 865 international caps between them.

While it will be difficult for a single family to emulate those fabulous Australians, something fascinating is happening at Surrey.

The team, led excellently by Gareth Batty, will face Warwickshire at Lord’s on September 17 in the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup and have risen to third in Division One of the County Championship despite a difficult start.

The form of 21-year-old Tom Curran, and his brother Sam, 18, has been central to Surrey’s progress.

Such is the potential of the pair that it is easy to imagine them representing England in the World Cup on home soil in three years’ time.

Both Tom, a pace bowler, and Sam, an all-rounder who bowls left-arm seam, have represented England Lions. The sons of the late former Zimbabwe cricketer, Kevin Curran, the brothers’ ambition is to play for the full side and Tom is confident he may soon realise that dream.

“We are very close as brothers and I hope we can do the same thing for England one day as we have been doing for Surrey,” Tom told Standard Sport. “We are treasuring these days and playing for England was what we always dreamed of.

“When I’ve played for the England Lions, it has helped me realise that I might not be that far away from playing for the full team.

“I am closer than maybe I thought I was and international cricket is the next step. It’s out of my hands whether I am selected but when I do, I am confident I will be ready.”

Just as important to Tom, though, is putting his younger sibling in his place on the squash court. While they are able to channel their cricketing rivalry to help Surrey, it is a different story when each has a racket in his hands and the pair contest fierce matches.

England's class of 2011 vs Cook's current crop

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Tom may have taken the traditional ‘big brother’ role in the Surrey changing room to help Sam settle but there is no such good humour when the brothers face up to attack a squash ball.

“He would probably say differently but I like to think I’ve got him covered when it comes to squash,” smiles Tom. “We played all sports growing up, particularly squash and tennis, and we’re pretty competitive.

“Am I protective towards Sam? I guess it has helped him having a big brother in the changing room because he has been able to see the other players just as my mates.

“When we’re together, of course, we have arguments like all brothers.”

To think the Currans, who grew up in southern Africa, might have been lost to English cricket.

Tom was spotted by Ian Greig, an ex-Surrey player and the brother of former England captain Tony Greig, while playing in Durban.

He quickly informed former England captain Alec Stewart, now director of cricket at The Kia Oval.

Surrey happened to be on an academy tour of South Africa and Tom joined them for a trial — endorsed by Greig as the best 16-year-old he had ever seen. The family subsequently moved to England and, with Surrey’s help, the boys were enrolled at the prestigious Wellington College in Berkshire.

Tom made his senior Surrey debut in 2013, while Sam was brought into the side while still studying for his ‘A’ Levels. “We played a Twenty20 practice match within the squad in 2015 and we brought Sam in from the age-group sides,” recalls Stewart.

“I think he hit [wicketkeeper] Gary Wilson on the helmet with a bumper with his second ball.

“The brotherly rivalry has undoubtedly benefited them. Tom’s batting has been helped by having Sam in the team, especially as Sam has been coming in ahead of him. Sam could bat anywhere in the order and, over time, his batting might be better than his bowling — but he will be a genuine all-rounder.”

Sam has taken his wickets at less than 28 apiece in Division One and averages nearly 40 with the bat.

Tom has led the seam attack and has shown skill and heart.

“It won’t be easy for them to get into the England team,” admits Stewart, who is trying to shield Sam from the spotlight. “But if they do so, I’d back them to stay there.”

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