Tom Curran takes break from red-ball cricket 'for body and mental health'

01 February 2023 , 13:06

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Tom Curran will be taking a break from red-ball cricket (Image: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

England bowler Tom Curran has announced he will be taking a break from red-ball cricket in order to "prioritise his physical and mental health".

Curran is the older brother of England all-rounder Sam and has represented them across all three formats, playing two Tests during the 2017-18 Ashes tour of Australia. However, the 27-year-old has suffered a number of injuries in recent years and Surrey's Director of Cricket Alec Stewart hopes the decision will allow him to "strengthen his body and keep him on a cricket field more regularly".

Curran featured twice in Surrey's County Championship winning campaign last year, most notably scoring a maiden century against Northamptonshire off just 85 balls. He is currently playing for Desert Vipers in the inaugural ILT20 and will represent Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League later this month.

"Some choices in life I don't think you will ever be 100% sure and this is definitely one of those," Curran said. "But where I find myself at this exact moment, I feel like it is the right decision for my body and for my mental health.

"I'm definitely not ruling out playing red ball cricket again in the future, and I feel like I have unfinished business in this format for both Surrey and England.

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"But until I can feel 100% committed and confident in my body to be performing day in and day out for Surrey in the County Championship, I feel that putting all my time and focus into on our Vitality Blast campaign this year is the right thing to do.

Stewart added: "Obviously when you lose a player of Tom’s quality from your County Championship squad it is a blow, but I have spoken to him at length about his decision and understand why he has made it.

"He has suffered with injuries in recent years and if this can help strengthen his body and keep him on a cricket field more regularly over the coming years, I fully support the decision. I look forward to seeing him back in May for our own T20 season."

Curran last represented England in 2021 and has picked up 34 ODI wickets at an average of 37.94 and 29 T20I wickets at 31.27.

Matthew Cooper