England’s new boy Curran promises to bowl even quicker

Fast-bowler surprised South Africa with his pace in T20Is but says best is yet to come

TAUNTON: England newcomer Tom Curran believes he can bowl even quicker after taking three wickets on his international debut.

Although he appears slightly-built, the Surrey paceman surprised several South Africa batsman with his speed on the way to figures of 3-33 in his four overs in the second T20I at Taunton on Friday.

"Coming out of school I've had my first couple of summers with Surrey," he said. "I've bowled a lot of overs and that limited how my pace was. But I worked hard in the gym this winter and gathered a yard. So that's positive. You get stronger, you get to know your action a bit more and you're just developing. I'm still only 22 and hopefully as I get older I can put on a couple more yards."

Curran, the son of the late Zimbabwe all-rounder Kevin, was born in Cape Town, where he played representative schools cricket.

But it was there too that he was 'spotted' by former Surrey captain Ian Greig.

The ex-England International's intervention led to the then 17-year-old Curran playing Second XI cricket for Surrey in 2012 and the following year he made his first-team debut for the London-based club.

In time, he was joined by younger brother Sam, currently involved with the second-string England Lions.

"We're both taking small steps at a time and hopefully this is the start of a long career with England for myself," said Tom. "The dream is to play for England with my brother and I guess you could say this is the start.”

Tom Curran was called up halfway across the world to England's senior squad in the Caribbean as cover for the injured Jake Ball in March after impressing in the Lions' unofficial 'Tests' in Sri Lanka.

"I was obviously disappointed not to play in the Caribbean, but it was a great experience for me to be around that environment for the first time," said Curran