DUBAI: South Africa-born English all-rounder Tom Curran was the first international on the Desert Vipers squad to make a Dubai landing and, having taken the winter off, he says he is refreshed and ready to go.
Ali Naseer, The Desert Vipers said “I had a bit of time off over Christmas,” Curran told the Vipers Voices podcast. “All the training over in England at the moment is indoors, so I thought it (arriving early) just gave me a nice ten day build up to the tournament, where I can get my work done and I am not rushing. (Getting here early was) just to have a nice steady build up in my preparation.”
Curran has been hugely successful at the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League over several years and is the fourth highest wicket-taker among overseas bowlers in the history of that competition.
The all-rounder has also played T20 cricket in South Africa previously, but he said the decision to play in the DP ILT20 was a simple one.
“(I had) a few reasons (for choosing the DP World ILT20),” said Curran. “Moods (Tom Moody, the Desert Vipers Director of Cricket) was one, and James Foster, who I have worked with previously and I really loved how he goes about his work. To play under him will be great.
“I have enjoyed my time in Dubai previously as it is a nice place to play. It all felt right. It was a good time for me, and I am really excited for this journey.”
Curran has played two Tests, 28 One-Day Internationals and 30 Twenty20 Internationals for England but unfortunately suffered a lower back injury during the previous edition of the Big Bash League in late 2021. That ruled him out of action in the early part of 2022 and he has not played international cricket since July 2021.
On that basis the DP World ILT20 could be a vehicle for him to return to the big stage but Curran played down that suggestion.
“Getting back (to international cricket) is something I would love to do, but it is not my focus. I want to get back playing at the moment and enjoying and being happy in my life.
“I think all tournaments will be good shop windows (for me in front of the England selectors) but, for me, it is just about playing. The group of players, the location. We are setting up camp in one hotel, which is quite a big thing. I don’t enjoy flying around and living out of suitcases, so this was just the best option for me.”
The questions about his younger brother Sam Curran, (a star in England’s ICC T20 World Cup winning campaign last year as well as topping headlines for his top-value sale at the IPL auction) are inevitable. But when asked about whether it was an advantage for him that Sam was in the limelight as it allowed him (Tom) to fly under the radar, Tom rushed to his little brother’s defense.
“People will have a lot of opinions on a lot of things, to be honest,” he said. “Sam deserves it (his success), he has had a great few years, so he deserves all the accolades and awards and the pay cheques. I don’t think it is a comparison thing. Like I said I have had a break now, and I am looking forward to getting back playing now. “
Tom Curran is rated highly as a wicket-taking bowler, and he believes he can contribute to all three phases of the bowling innings, especially the death overs. “It is something I have done for years now, and it has not always gone amazingly,” he said. “But that is the role as bowling at the death is a hard job. But it is also one of the most valuable as a player. It is something I am constantly working on, and something I am looking forward to doing.
“I think wickets in any format are important because you will stop the runs that way. Sometimes it can be very hard to do that in T20 cricket. We are always talking as bowling groups of the best ways to take wickets. I am sure we will do the same here. I aways look to take wickets, and sometimes that comes from being defensive, but we will have our plans in place.” Curran added.
The all-rounder said he is excited by the high quality in the Desert Vipers squad and revealed his expectations for the team and himself this year.
“It is the first one (DP World ILT20), so I don’t have many expectations. I think we have got a really strong side and we all have high expectations. For the Desert Vipers, hopefully we can start the tournament well, and to lift the trophy at the end is obviously the goal. And for me personally, coming back refreshed after a break, (I am keen to be) hitting the tournament hard.”
With 1.5 Degrees Sport signed on as the Desert Vipers Climate Change Partner, Tom Curran was especially excited as he said this commitment from the team fitted in with his wider life goals: “It is massive, and links beautifully with my core beliefs as a human. It is very exciting and (I am) looking forward to developing with the sponsors in that regard.”
A full transcript of the interviews can be found below:
Tom Curran on his reasons for choosing the DP World ILT20 over other leagues in the world:
“A few reasons (for choosing the DP World ILT20) Moods (Tom Moody), and James Foster, who I have worked with previously and I really loved how he goes about his work. And to play under him will be great. I have enjoyed my time in Dubai previously, it is a nice place to play. (There are) multiple reasons to be honest (for wanting to play in this tournament), it all felt right. It was a good time for me, and I am really excited for this journey.”
Tom Curran on there being a strong Surrey presence, and familiar faces from the Oval Invincibles, in the Desert Vipers coaching staff and player group:
“When you have worked with guys previously it makes that integration or starting process easier. You are picking up where you left off earlier. Although we do play so much now with lots of different groups of people, it is a pretty easy process anyway. But (there is) definitely a lot more (of a) homely feel having such a nice home-knit group at the core of the squad.”
Tom Curran on what he has been up to in the first part of the winter since Surrey lifted the county championship at the end of the 2022 season:
“I finished the season and had a nice end to the summer. I had a bit of time off and did a bit of training. It is the first winter I have had off in many years. I was off, but I have been training. I went away and trained a bit in the sun. It was building up to this. (I had) Christmas at home, which was nice, and it has been refreshing really, and I feel like I am ready for the latter half of my career.”
Tom Curran on arriving in the UAE early, and what his thinking was, with that move:
“I had a bit of time off over Christmas. All the training over in England at the moment is indoors, so I thought it just gave me a nice ten-day build up to the tournament, where I can get my work done and I am not rushing. (I came out early) just to have a nice steady build up in my preparation.”
Tom Curran on his back injury:
“Probably in terms of duration (this was the first serious injury in my career). I have had niggles previously. In general, I had played a lot of cricket, and I know sometimes I have sat on the sidelines but touring and not playing has been a lot harder, I have learnt. So, it has been nice to have a bit of a break and refresh mentally. It has been pretty easy, having a break and training, and it was like being an 18 or 19 year-old, when you play in the summer and have the winter off.”
Tom Curran on his thinking behind playing the DP World ILT20: “I think all tournaments will be good shop windows (to get my name in front of the England selectors). For me it is just about playing. The group of players, the location. We are setting up camp in one hotel, which is quite a big thing. I don’t enjoy flying around and living out of suitcases, so this was just the best option for me.”
Tom Curran on whether a good run in the ILT20 could help to push him onto the agenda for a go in the 50-over World Cup in India later this year:
“You don’t know what’s going to happen, to be honest. I am just looking forward to playing cricket again. The majority of franchise cricket environments are really good to be in. No doubt this will be the same. Like I said, the leaders of this group are great people, and I think that will have a ripple effect through this group. I have played with a lot of guys already; good guys and good friends (of mine) and I have no doubt this environment will do me good and hopefully then I can just express myself on the field.”
Tom Curran on whether it has been frustrating to be on the sidelines of the England success story, and whether that is a real motivation to get back to international cricket:
“It hasn’t been frustrating, I have not really watched a lot of cricket, I have had a break and it has been very good. Getting back (to international cricket) is something I would love to do, but it is not my focus. I want to get back playing at the moment and enjoying and being happy in my life.”
Tom Curran on whether Sam Curran being in the limelight is an advantage for him and allows him to fly under the radar while Sam is the focus of attention:
“People will have a lot of opinions on a lot of things, to be honest. Sam deserves it, he has had a great few years, so he deserves all the accolades and awards and pay cheques. I don’t think it is a comparison thing. Like I said, I have had a break now, and I am looking forward to getting back playing now.”
Tom Curran on whether he sees himself as a three-phase bowler: “Look it is something I have done for years now, and (it has) not always gone amazingly. But that’s the role (as) bowling at the death is a hard job. But it is also one of the most valuable as a player. It is something I am constantly working on, and something I am looking forward to doing.”
Tom Curran on how he is a wicket-taker, and taking wickets is the most effective way to keep the runs down:
“I think wickets in any format are important because you will stop the runs that way. Sometimes it can be very hard to do that in T20 cricket. We are always talking as bowling groups of the best ways to take wickets. I am sure we will do the same here. I aways look to take wickets, and sometimes that comes from being defensive, but we will have our plans in place.”
Tom Curran on choosing which overs he would prefer to bowl if given a choice: “(Laughing) First over, third over, seventh over and ninth over or first, seventh, ninth and twelfth. (Seriously), bowling the tough overs (in the power play or at the end of the innings) is definitely the hardest, but also the most rewarding. So, I do enjoy those; one in the power play, a couple in the middle and one in the death. Something like that (would be what I see myself bowling).”
Tom Curran on how many variations he has with the ball, or if that is a trade secret:
“No trade secret, I have a fair few, it also depends on the wicket and the batters. Sometimes slower balls work better, sometimes other ones work better. It is just about being adaptable and having those chats as a bowling group out on the field to liaise and analyse what is working on the day. It is important to have a few (variations) but not too many.”
Tom Curran on his previous experience of playing in Dubai:
“I actually played here years ago, on one of my first Lions tours, and before that we did quite a long training camp here in Dubai. So, I’m familiar with it and it is a great place to play. The pitches are pretty good for the majority of the time, and beautiful stadiums, and I enjoy it, and I am familiar with it so hopefully I can dig in to that experience and contribute to the team.”
Tom Curran on how many members of the Desert Vipers group he has worked with previously:
“I have worked with Fozzy (James Foster) previously and I have played with and against many of the players. Actually, I think there is a nice mix of English players, and a lot of the other overseas players I have either played with or against. We have got a really good squad so hopefully we can get a good start and kick on because I think we have got a really good chance.”
Tom Curran on Azhar Mahmood and role of a bowling coach in this format:
“It is a hard one. Azhar has been exceptional for me, and he has been with me at the Invincibles for two years and Surrey as well. He knows my game and he is someone I put my trust in. He is someone I have worked with in the past and will continue doing so. But when you are going around to these franchises, even in the England environment, it is in and out, and not long periods of time together and the influence that bowling coaches can have is pretty minimal, because you are preparing to play, and you want to execute your skills. They won’t want to be giving huge bits of technical advice, mid-tournament. So, to have that steady person you can connect with and liaise about your game is really helpful. So, to have Azhar here is a big positive for me.”
Tom Curran on what he makes of the Desert Vipers squad:
“I really am (impressed). It is a proper squad, and to try and pick a team is going to be difficult, which is a great headache to have for coaches. So, congrats to the coaching staff and everyone involved in selecting and getting together this group. Hopefully we can repay them with some wins.”
Tom Curran on Colin Munro as a captain and responding to Colin speaking highly of his bowling:
“I am really looking forward to playing with him and under him. He is really a quality player. I don’t know him as a person, but he seems like a relaxed guy who enjoys his time and has fun on the field, which is already a great start as a leader. He has played a lot of cricket around the world and he has been around the block, so I don’t think it is going to be too much of a challenge. And I think if captaincy is a new venture, he will take to it easily. Hopefully I can repay his compliments with some performances for him.”
Tom Curran on the fact there will be plenty of Associate players, including those from the UAE, in this tournament:
“I really like it. I think it is great, and I think we have selected really well in that department. It is very exciting, it is great for the game and great for the world game, and great for us. Mixing with these guys is exciting, and I am really looking forward to meeting these guys and getting going with them.”
Tom Curran on his expectations for the inaugural edition of this tournament – for himself and the Desert Vipers:
“It is the first one, so I don’t have many expectations. I think we have a really strong side and we all have high expectations. So, for the Desert Vipers, hopefully we can start the tournament well, and to lift the trophy at the end is obviously the goal. And for me personally, coming back refreshed after a break, (I am keen to be) hitting the tournament hard.”
Tom Curran on whether the Desert Vipers can win the inaugural DP World ILT20:
“Absolutely!” Tom Curran on the fact that The Desert Vipers have agreed a sponsorship deal with 1.5 Degrees Sport which is promoting more sustainable choices around the environment and the climate:
“It is massive, and links beautifully with my core beliefs as a human. It is very exciting and I am looking forward to developing with the sponsors in that regard. I am excited to see these scooters, I have seen the briefs on this, and I am looking forward to seeing them.”
Tom Curran on how the team’s principal sponsor is a company called Rasasi Perfumes, a Dubai-based company that’s been in business for more than 40 years. How good is it that a side based in Dubai for a UAE tournament should be working with a UAE firm?
“It is great, (and) I can’t complain about smelling nice, I am looking forward to that. This is one of the few examples (of good decisions), I think, which has been a great start from the franchise, and what it is doing for this inaugural ILT20. I am very excited and proud to be a part of this first one and moving forward hopefully we can achieve some great things.”
About the Desert Vipers
Owned by Lancer Capital, The Desert Vipers team is one of six to compete at the inaugural ICC-sanctioned ILT20 tournament to be held in the UAE in January-February 2023. Cricket Director Tom Moody and Head Coach James Foster lead operations in the star-studded Desert Vipers camp, which includes players like Sam Billings, Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills, and Sheldon Cottrell. The UAE players include Rohan Mustafa, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, and Sheraz Ahmad and Other key staffing appointments include Azhar Mahmood (fast bowling coach), Carl Crowe (spin bowling coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), and Neil McKenzie (batting coach).
