Tom Curran to join brother Sam at Oval Invincibles

Tom Curran will join brother Sam at Oval Invincibles for the inaugural edition of the Hundred next year.

Tom Curran, the England allrounder whose death-bowling is an asset for his national white-ball and global franchise teams, was among four new signings announced by the London-based outfit on Thursday, alongside Reece Topley, Georgia Adams and Tash Farrant.

Sam Curran was retained last month by Invincibles, who also play at the Surrey ground that is the home of both Curran brothers in county cricket .

Tom Curran said: “I love playing at the Oval and it will be special to play in the first season of The Hundred at my home ground. I think The Hundred is an incredibly exciting competition and I’m really looking forward to it. We are building a strong squad with a number of local players which I hope will help us be successful next summer.”

Left-arm seamer Topley is touring South Africa as part of England’s T20I and ODI squads, having overcome a run of injuries to play his first international match in four years during the ODI series against Ireland in August. He joined Surrey in 2019 on a white-ball deal after spells with Essex, Hampshire and Sussex.

“It was a no-brainer to stay at Oval Invincibles and I’m really pleased it has been confirmed,” Topley said. “I’ve got some good memories of playing at The Oval already and I’m looking forward to creating some more in The Hundred next summer.”

Adams starred for Southern Vipers during the recent Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, leading her side to the title with a competition-leading 500 runs at an average of 83.33 and including an unbeaten 154 during a breakout season.

She was keen to begin her Hundred career after the tournament, which should have begun this year, was postponed until 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The delay was a blow to the women’s game, which faced having no domestic cricket during the UK summer until the hastily arranged but ultimately successful 50-over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy was arranged.

“It will definitely be the spectacle of the summer and I’m particularly looking forward to playing a format of cricket where I can express myself as a batter and play expansive cricket,” Adams said.

Farrant, the left-arm seamer who captained South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and has been a key part of Kent’s successful side since 2012, echoed Adams’ enthusiasm.

“The women’s game continues to grow despite the wider challenges the entire sport is facing and next summer can’t come soon enough,” Farrant said.

Oval Invincibles 2021 squads so far: Men: Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Reece Topley Women: Fran Wilson, Georgia Adams, Tash Farrant