Surrey seamer Tom Curran has been snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League as a replacement for injured Australian paceman Mitchell Starc.

Curran has featured in all three formats for England over the winter and claimed his maiden international five-wicket haul in a one-dayer against Australia at Perth.

He went unsold at the IPL auction in January but is the beneficiary of Starc’s tibial bone stress fracture in his right leg which has ruled the left-armer out of the entire tournament.

The 23-year-old Curran will meet up with the Knight Riders ahead of their first match against Royal Challengers Bangalore this Sunday.

He told Surrey’s official website: “I’m thrilled and excited to be joining Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL.

“I know from chatting to other players I can learn a lot from being in that environment, skills that I hope will benefit Surrey and my chances of representing England again this year and if selected, for next year’s World Cup.”

Curran will therefore miss at least the early part of the county season, along with Surrey team-mate Jason Roy, who was picked up by the Delhi Daredevils in the auction.

Director of cricket Alec Stewart said: “As a club we have a duty to help England and our players in achieving their goals and ambitions.

“The experience he will gain through playing in the IPL can only help develop his game which in turn will give England a greater chance of winning the 2019 World Cup.

“His absence from the Surrey team will allow other players on our staff to stand up, perform and grab their opportunity.”