HARARE — Tribute has been paid to Kevin Curran, the former Zimbabwe all-rounder, who died on Wednesday at the age of 53.
John Traicos, the former off-spinner, remembered him as a “dedicated person” while Heath Streak, who was coached by Curran said “nothing was too much for him to try and conquer”.
Traicos, Curran’s former captain, was “shocked” to hear the news of his death which occurred when he was out running. He had been told by Duncan Fletcher, another former captain of Zimbabwe and currently the India coach. Curran played the 1983 World Cup where Zimbabwe were led by Fletcher.
“The most shocking thing is, he was incredibly fit. He was a fitness fanatic. He used to be in the gym everyday,” Traicos said. “He and Malcolm Jarvis ran a gymnasium in Harare and Kevin was there everyday, did everything from weights to aerobics and he ran a lot. He was very, very competitive and played rugby, tennis and golf. He was a naturally talented guy.”
Traicos recollected leading Curran at the Harare Sports Club in the early 1980s.
“I had great admiration for Kevin. He was a self-made cricketer,” Traicos said. “We had quite a high work ethic in those days and I remember Kevin being a really dedicated guy, who would bowl for hours on the concrete pitches on his own.
“He had a lovely action, a very nice away swinger and bowl very, very quickly. In 1985, when the Australians came to Zimbabwe, Dean Jones mentioned that Kevin was one of the fastest bowlers he had faced. Kevin was an incredibly talented guy, an all-rounder, batted beautifully, really gutsy performer. He was always a team man, an outstanding cricketer. ”
Streak, meanwhile, said Curran was desperate to help cricket in Zimbabwe.
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“He was my bowling coach and we worked together when he was on the selection committee and I became involved in administration. He was always such a positive guy and he always found the best in everything. Nothing was too much for him to try and conquer.
“He lived cricket and he was very passionate about Zimbabwe and helping cricket in the country. His kids also have the same passion and its going to be tough for them now. It’s really sad what happened. He was a fit guy, he played squash, he ran four times a week. It’s sad,” said Streak Messages were also posted on Twitter from current and former players around the world. Curran enjoyed a very successful county career with Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire, playing for the latter until 1999.
Adam Hollioake tweeted: “Sad to hear of Kevin Curran’s passing A true competitor & one of my fiercest adversary’s . . . RIP brother my thoughts are with you and your family. . .”
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, wrote: “Thoughts are with his close family. A wonderful cricketer who would have flourished in the modern era of T20.”—Cricinfo
