One brother pushing for regular selection in the ODI side, another making himself comfortable in the Test outfit – the Currans are realising boyhood dreams, but perhaps even they may not have imagined that they could both be in the same international squad together.
The pair have not yet played a game together at the top level. Sam has not appeared in either of the Tests that Tom played, and Tom was injured for Sam’s first and so far only ODI, against Australia at Old Trafford in June. The day may soon come, however, where both will represent England at the same time.
But neither would be satisfied with just the odd game or two together – they’ve set their sights on settling in for England for years to come.
“The dream is to be playing all three formats together – we’ll be trying to get close to that,” Tom said, after taking 3 for 17 off his four overs in England’s victory in the rain-curtailed third ODI. “He had an amazing summer in the Tests and I’m super proud of him. I went away with the white-ball stuff and went to the IPL. I carried on playing white-ball cricket, while he’s playing red ball at the minute.”
The incredibly stiff competition for England places, though, is stopping the Currans from turning out together in the ODIs at least. Tom might not have got a game on Wednesday had left-arm spinner Liam Dawson not had to leave the tour with a side strain. However, with England now 2-0 up in the series with two games to play, there may now be an opportunity for Sam to enter the XI in the coming week, so long as England wrap up the series on Saturday.
“The strength in our squad is that there’s such a strong competition for places,” Tom said. “When you do get a go you might only get one or two games to impress. It’s a great place to be, with guys knocking on the door because the guys who are in the side will only be working hard to keep their place as well. I’m training hard and I’m looking to play well when I get the chance.”