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Englishman Tom Curran, returning for a second season with the Sydney Sixers, wants to learn as much as possible as the T20 World Cup in Australia looms large.
The Big Bash League helped Sydney Sixers star Tom Curran earn a spot in England's triumphant one-day World Cup squad, now it will serve as an ideal tune-up for the international Twenty20 showpiece.
Curran made his Test debut in the 2017/18 Ashes then returned to Australia the following summer, excelling with bat and ball in a dominant debut BBL season.
The 24-year-old missed the Sixers' semi-final loss because of an ODI tour then proceeded to claim the final spot in England's World Cup squad.
The death-bowling specialist was left on the sidelines throughout England's 50-over conquest but that is unlikely to be the case during next year's T20 World Cup, which Australia is hosting.
"It's not something that is dominating my thoughts at the minute but it's an exciting time. To come and play out here leading up to that tournament is a positive," Curran told reporters at the SCG.
"I'll get a little feel for playing on bigger fields, the wickets, the (Australian) players.
"I loved the Big Bash from the moment I got out here last summer.
"It's right up there (as one of the best T20 leagues in the world) ... the IPL and the BBL are the two big ones."
Curran will be match fit for the Sixers' season-opening SCG clash on Wednesday night, having recently shared a dressing room with Brisbane Heat's prized recruit AB de Villiers during South Africa's T20 competition.
"Hopefully I've picked up a few tips there, maybe the secret to get him out," he quipped.
"I've seen that we play him twice ... it'll be a good challenge."
Curran, named the Sixers' MVP in 2018/19, enjoyed his BBL stint so much that he essentially sorted out a three-year contract extension before hopping on the plane to depart.
International duties are likely to make him miss the playoffs again; England face South Africa in a limited-overs series in early February.
However, the Englishman's departure should coincide with the arrival of Steve Smith and Josh Hazlewood.
"Two world-class players. They'll definitely boost the squad," Curran said.
