Brad Currie’s rise in the cricket world has been nothing short of remarkable, drawing parallels to football’s Jamie Vardy, who famously transitioned from non-league to Premier League stardom. The left-arm medium pace bowler, a passionate AFC Bournemouth supporter, recently celebrated his inclusion in Scotland’s T20 World Cup squad. Currie’s journey, which began in Poole, has seen him play for local teams and travel globally, culminating in his World Cup call-up following Bournemouth’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool.
Brad Currie said: “My friend got us tickets for that and Bournemouth had literally just scored their second goal and I could feel my phone buzzing in my pocket and I was like, I know what this is, I know exactly what this is. Then the head of performance is texting me going, do you mind if we, like, we need to announce the squad, obviously the coach hasn’t spoken to you, but we need to announce it. And I was like, yeah, go for it. I got back to the car after the game, obviously buzzing, and said to the coach, you can’t spoil my mood now, can you? And he was like, no, what a day for you. Beat Liverpool and then called up to the World Cup. That was a pretty good day, that one.”
Currie’s cricket career has been a journey of dedication and passion. Despite his international commitments, he remains deeply connected to his roots, coaching at Poole Town and working with local junior players. His commitment to the game and his community is evident in his continued involvement with Poole Town and Bashley, even as he prepares to face some of the best players in the world at the T20 World Cup.
Brad Currie said: “I’m like the cricket version of Jamie Vardy in a way! That’s a bit too high praise, but I’ve always tried to stay pretty close to my roots. I’m still coaching at Poole Town in the winter and was this winter on their academy. I’m still doing one-to-ones with local junior players in the county as well. I’m always very appreciative of what Poole Town did for me, of what Bashley are doing for me, Dorset. And I still play when I can because I think it’s important as well. And then, you get onto this stage as well, and it’s a crazy life in a way.”
As Scotland prepares to face England, Currie is set to bowl against two of the world’s top T20 openers, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt. This challenge excites him, as he relishes the opportunity to test his skills against the best. The upcoming match is crucial for Scotland’s qualification hopes, and Currie is eager to contribute to his team’s success.
Brad Currie said: “It doesn’t get much better, I think they’re second and fourth in the world at the moment. So quite literally like nearly the best possible partnership that you could possibly form. So I’m ultimately just looking forward to it and the challenge it provides. Tomorrow’s game is basically all or nothing for both sides. If we do qualify second in this group, I wouldn’t shy down from qualifying out of the Super 8s. And just that would literally be the definition of a free hit. So it’s just all very exciting.”
Adding an intriguing twist to the match is the potential inter-family rivalry, as Currie’s brother, Scott, has opted to play for England. Although Scott has yet to make his debut, his brief stint as a sub fielder for England makes him ineligible for Scotland. This dynamic adds a personal layer to the already fierce rivalry between the two nations.
Brad Currie said: “It’s tough, it’s a weird dynamic. But there’s not many brothers that are playing on different nationalities. But with it being such a close rivalry between England and Scotland, it’s quite a funny dynamic, but I think Scott will have his family bond and family love hopefully above his nationality tomorrow.”
Currie’s journey from a local cricket enthusiast to a World Cup player is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. As he continues to embrace challenges on the international stage, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere.
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