Northamptonshire opening batsman Ben Curran will join Cape Town Cricket Club, for the 2018-19 Western Province Cricket Association premier league.
Curran signed a senior contract for Northamptonshire in August – and struck 251 runs at an average of 31.37 in nine County Championship Division Two innings. His talent was particularly evident during late September’s 83 not out against Sussex.
The 22-year-old is the middle brother of England Test cricketers Sam and Tom Curran. Their late father, Kevin Curran, played 11 ODIs for Zimbabwe.
Cape Town Cricket Club enjoyed the services of Sussex’s Jonty Jenner and Kent’s Adam Rouse in recent seasons. Essex’s Greg Smith, too, played for them.
They occupied third and seven position in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 season, respectively.
According to the WPCA’s second draft of fixtures, which will undergo minor changes before eventual confirmation, Cape Town Cricket Club’s opening match of the 2018-19 premier league will be against Bellville Cricket Club on 3 November. A home fixture against Brackenfell Cricket Club will follow 24 hours later.
Late July saw the WPCA confirm premier league and first division A cricket has changed from two- to one-day competition for the 2018-19 season.
A proposal, largely based on feedback solicited from premier league and first division clubs and the recommendations of a task team, suggested the format swap.
The decision will stand for the 2018-19 season and, later, be re-evaluated for a potential return to two-day cricket in 2019-20.