'The fact that my dad played here too makes it even more special': Northants sign Ben Curran

The left-handed batsman, who made his first-team debut in the Vitality Blast for the Steelbacks last week against Derbyshire, is set to continue to play in the side for the rest of the season

^{Northants have signed Ben Curran}

Northamptonshire have signed 22-year-old Ben Curran, brother of the Surrey and England duo Tom and Sam, on a two-year contract from next season.

The left-handed batsman, who made his first-team debut in the Vitality Blast for the Steelbacks last week against Derbyshire, is set to continue to play in the side for the rest of the season.

Ben, who was born in Northampton in 1996, played for the MCC Young Cricketers between 2015 and 2017 and impressed this year against Northamptonshire’s 2^nd XI with a resolute innings of 80.

He was rewarded with a chance in the county twos where he scored 490 runs in six matches, including two hundreds.

BEN CURRAN: 2ND XI STATS IN 2018

10 matches, 19 innings, 852 runs, ave 44.84, 2 100s, 5 50s

"I’m delighted to have signed for Northants. The fact that my dad played here too makes it even more special to be able to represent this county," Curran told Northants’ official website.

"I hope that I can contribute in all three formats over the next few years and fingers crossed we can have a strong end to the season in both the Blast and the County Championship."

Northants’ head coach, David Ripley said: “Ben has scored heavily in all formats for us in the 2’s as well as continuing to churn out runs for the MCCYC’s.

"He deserves an opportunity and we look forward to working with him over the next two seasons. He has a lot of competitive spirit and I know he will make the most of his chance."