Sam Curran, the England cricket star and son of the late former Zimbabwe all-rounder Kevin Curran has said being made an MBE ranks higher than any other award he has received.
Curran, 26, was honoured by the King during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.
Part of the England team that won the 2022 T20 World Cup, Curran took the most wickets for England that year and was named player of the tournament.
“It’s such an incredible honour and to be recognised for some of the things I’ve done in cricket is incredibly special.”
Curran said regaining a place in the England Test team was still his ambition, adding: “I haven’t played much Test cricket in the last few years but any form of the game to play for England is a huge honour.
Sam Curran with his mother Sarah (left) and partner Isabella after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the King (Andrew Matthews/PA)
“I’m always looking to get back in the team and I just keep trying to perform and do my best.”
Curran said James Anderson’s impending retirement from Test cricket after England’s series opener against the West Indies this week would be an “incredibly emotional moment”, adding: “He’s someone I’ve looked up to for a long time.”
He also said he was “incredibly proud” of Jamie Smith who will make his Test debut this week.
He said: “Jamie is someone I’ve played a lot of cricket with throughout my age group stuff at Surrey so incredibly proud of him and the same as Gus Atkinson making his debut tomorrow as well, so two really special talents.
“I think Jamie will be a really big future with England and I’m sure he’s going to have an incredible career with England.”
Sam was born when his father was playing county cricket for Northamptonshire but part of his upbringing was in Zimbabwe.
He had to overcome adversity at a young age after he lost his father at the age of 14, cricketer Kevin Curran, who played for and later coached Zimbabwe, suffered a sudden heart attack and died aged 53, while out on a jog in October 2012
Sam is just one part of an extraordinary cricket family. While his father also played county cricket for Northamptonshire, his grandfather, also Kevin, played for Rhodesia.
His two brothers are also professionals; Tom, is also part of the England setup and Surrey, while Ben, has reportedly set his sights on playing for Zimbabwe, having formerly represented Northamptonshire.