In this episode we continue our build-up to the Desert Vipers' opening match against the Sharjah Warriors on 15 January by chatting with England all-rounder Tom Curran, the first player arrival into the UAE from among the squad.

Tom will be a key player for the Desert Vipers as he’s one of the side’s most experienced players, with 60 international appearances across all three formats, and he’s played T20 cricket all around the world, including in the Big Bash League in Australia where he was an outstanding performer with the Sydney Sixers for several years.

Tom comes into this tournament completely recharged after time away from the game following his county side Surrey’s victory in the County Championship in the summer of 2022 and he tells us his planning for the tournament always factored in his early arrival into Dubai ahead of the action getting underway.

He also talks to us about one of his key roles in the tournament - bowling when the heat really is on and the opposition are looking to accelerate, and he says he’s not thinking about an England recall, only about having an enjoyable – and successful – ILT20.