England and Surrey paceman could make IPL debut on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Cricket
Monday 2 April 2018 13:25, UK
Tom Curran has signed for IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for injured Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc.
England and Surrey seamer Curran went unsold at the IPL auction in January but has now benefited from Starc sustaining a stress fracture to his right leg, which has ruled him out of the tournament.
Curran, who has played two Tests, eight ODIs and six T20Is for his country, will link up with the Knight Riders ahead of their opening fixture against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Cricket.
"I'm thrilled and excited to be joining Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL," Curran, 23, told Surrey's official website.
"I know from chatting to other players I can learn a lot from being in that environment, skills that I hope will benefit Surrey and my chances of representing England again this year and if selected, for next year's World Cup."
Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart added: "As a club we have a duty to help England and our players in achieving their goals and ambitions.
"The experience [Tom] will gain through playing in the IPL can only help develop his game which in turn will give England a greater chance of winning the 2019 World Cup.
"His absence from the Surrey team will allow other players on our staff to stand up, perform and grab their opportunity."
Surrey will also be without batsman Jason Roy for the early part of the county season, with the England one-day opener having been picked up by Delhi Daredevils.
See if Curran and Roy play for their respective IPL franchises live on Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday - Delhi face Kings XI Punjab from 11.25am, before Kolkata welcome Virat Kohli and RCB at 3pm.
