Sam Curran is an English cricket player who comes from a family deeply rooted in the sport. Born on June 3, 1998, in Northampton, England, Sam is the younger brother of Tom Curran, his fellow Surrey all-rounder, and the son of the former Zimbabwe cricketer, Kevin Curran. His family’s background in cricket laid the foundation for his own successful career.
At the young age of 19 years and 363 days, Sam Curran made his Test debut against Pakistan at Headingley in June 2018, fulfilling his destiny as a cricketer. Just one Test later, he showcased his abilities by earning his maiden Man-of-the-Match award in a thrilling Edgbaston Test against India. In that match, he took four wickets in the first innings and played a counter-attacking half-century that gave England the edge. This performance sparked a debate about whether batting or bowling would become his strongest suit.
However, it became clear that it did not really matter which aspect of the game Sam excelled in, as he developed into an X-factor cricketer of global repute. In 2022, he was named the player of the T20 World Cup, where he took 13 wickets at an impressive average of 11.38 and an economy rate of 6.52. His exceptional performances as a canny death bowler played a vital role in England’s victory. Notably, he finished off his T20 World Cup journey with a player of the match performance in the final against Pakistan, taking 3 wickets for just 12 runs.
His outstanding performances in international cricket attracted attention from the Punjab Kings, who made him the most expensive buy at an IPL auction, acquiring his services for INR 18.50 crore (£1.85 million approximately). Previously, Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) had purchased him for INR 7.2 crore in 2018. During his time at the IPL, while playing for the Chennai Super Kings, Curran showed his versatility as a makeshift opening batter, proving himself in different roles within the team.
In 2022, Sam Curran’s absence from Test duties was due to a back injury sustained during the Ashes series. However, both the player and the national team are now fully aligned. As a left-handed player in both batting and bowling, he possesses a rare skillset among English red ball bowling stocks. Moreover, his composure with the bat has never been questioned. After falling in the nineties on two occasions in first-class cricket, he finally reached the milestone of a century in June 2022, scoring 126 runs against Kent in his 120th innings in the format.
Despite his slight frame, Sam Curran has consistently defied expectations with his abilities on the cricket field. Since joining Surrey’s 1st XI in 2015, he has displayed a natural ability to swing the ball with his left-armers at a decent pace. Known for his combative nature, he has earned recognition from the England Lions at the end of the 2016 season.
Curran’s remarkable debut in the County Championship against Kent at The Oval further solidified his status as a promising talent. He took five wickets in the first innings and eight in total in the match, at the age of only 17. This performance made him the youngest-ever player to achieve a five-wicket haul in the Championship and the second youngest debutant in Surrey’s history. His debut also marked the connection between the Curran brothers, as he opened the bowling alongside his brother, Tom. His wicket with the fifth ball of his debut match, bowling out Joe Denly with an inswinger, showcased his ability to swing the ball into right-handers.
From an early age, Sam Curran has demonstrated his aggression on the field. Even before his debut, he made headlines in a practice match when he bowled a ball that struck Gary Wilson’s helmet during a Surrey T20 practice session. Additionally, his laid-back personality and composed yet energetic displays have captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts, such as during a Royal London Cup semi-final against Nottinghamshire, where he was given a day off school by Wellington College to play.
Although he fell short of winning the Royal London Cup in consecutive years as Surrey finished as runners-up, Curran’s competitive nature shows his determination to succeed. He has impressed cricket fans with his batting and bowling skills, including a 96-run innings against Lancashire and a four-wicket haul in seven balls against Durham, which marked the first six-for of his Championship career.
Sam Curran’s journey in cricket has been one of continuous growth and success. As he continues to hone his skills and make valuable contributions to both domestic and international cricket, he remains a promising talent for England, defying expectations and leaving a mark on the sport.
