Brad Currie on realising his childhood World Cup dream as Scotland take on England

BRAD CURRIE and little brother Scott grew up as cricket obsessives, batting and bowling in the back garden until the light faded or they were called inside for their dinner.

Like most kids, their goals weren’t defined by the bounds of realism, setting their sights on reaching the very top until their parents – as parents often do – brought them back down to earth.

Both, though, have fulfilled those ambitions and then some. Brad was the first to play for Scotland a few years ago, with Scott following in his footsteps a few months back, the brothers from Dorset eligible to represent the Saltires thanks to their Scottish dad.

Brad will be living out the dreams of both of them when, if selected, he runs in to bowl against England in Barbados this afternoon in Scotland’s opening group game in the T20 World Cup. Currie is excited and, refreshingly, doesn’t try to hide it, as he thinks back to those childhood years and the start of the long journey to reach this lofty stage.

“I was speaking with my brother who unfortunately isn’t out here with me,” reveals the 25-year-old. “We were reminiscing about the times we had out in the back garden when we used to make too much noise and would hit the ball into the neighbours’ garden.

“And our parents would shout through the window, ‘it’s not the World Cup’ and tell us to calm down. Now I can turn around say, ‘well, it IS the World Cup now!’

“It’s pretty surreal to be out here after growing up watching these tournaments. I heard an advert for this tournament on Spotify the other day and it was weird thinking it was for an event that I’m hopefully going to be playing in. It’s pretty crazy. I’m not one of the big stars of the tournament but I’m here and hopefully can have a big impact.

“We can use the underdog card and say there’s not too much expectation on us and enjoy it. That’s the mindset I’m trying to take although some of the guys will be different. I just want to rise to the challenge but enjoy it at the same time. I don’t want to see it as a big nerve-wracking event.”

The elephant in the room is that Currie was English-born and raised, something his pals still like to rib him about. But he insists there will be no divided loyalties as he puffs out his chest to belt out Flower of Scotland this afternoon.

“I think all things equal I would definitely have picked Scotland,” he insists. “I like the underdog story and growing up I was always holidaying in Scotland to see my papa and gran, and my cousins. Every time we went up I always thought it was a cool place and the people were quite funny. I loved it.

“I still get a bit of stick [for playing for Scotland] and people are always going to wind me up but this is a crazy opportunity. I know Jofra Archer from Sussex and it will be pretty surreal going up against him. Hopefully I don’t have to face him!”

England will be one of the favourites to retain the title they won two years ago but, if Scotland are to cause an upset, playing them in the first match when their rivals are not long arrived in the West Indies might present the optimum opportunity.

“Yeah absolutely,” agrees Currie. “If they had built up a bit more momentum it might have been a bit more tricky. In these one-off games in the shorter format you just need one match-winner and it changes the game. I would have wanted to have them early so we’ll take that I guess.

“Someone can go out and blast a hundred, take a few wickets in the powerplay or be a hero in the last over. It’s exciting that out of the XI that get the nod for the first game we’ve hopefully got a match winner in there.”

Doug Watson will also savour a special moment this afternoon. Having been the one to guide this team through last summer’s qualifying tournament in Edinburgh while operating on an interim contract, the South African has returned this spring as Scotland’s new permanent head coach.

“The levels of excitement are just the same this time but it is just good to know that I am here for a lot longer,” he confirms. “That passion for Scotland that everyone has made it really difficult not to apply for the job. To go to a World Cup is just great for players and coaching staff and all of the games we have out here are going to be big games, tough games. But it is a wonderful opportunity for all involved. The boys are fizzed for it.

“The whole country will be behind us and what an opportunity to play against England in a World Cup. They have world class players and our guys, with the pride and the passion they play with, can’t wait to put their skills up against them. We are all excited for that opportunity.”