Sam Curran is crossing his fingers he stays fit for England’s World Cup campaign after missing out in agonising circumstances last time.
The all-rounder reached the eve of last year’s World T20 only to be ruled out with a stress fracture in his lower back – an injury which also sunk his Ashes hopes. But after playing a key role in England’s build up, including a nerveless display at the death to help win the first T20 against Australia, Curran admits he is starting to dream.
“It’s a scary thing to get excited about because I missed the last World Cup and we’re nearly there,” he said. “There are still two more games against Australia to come as well. Missing last year’s World Cup was gutting. I probably didn’t play much red-ball cricket this summer due to the body. The main focus has always been trying to get fit for this.
“I know for myself I’ve probably just got to keep trying to put in some performances and if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t I’ll keep smashing away.”
Curran has put himself in the mix for a starting place in England’s campaign which starts against Afghanistan on October 22 showcasing nerveless death bowling in the series opener against Australia. Buttler will have probably have to decide on two from four with Chris Jordan, David Willey and Chris Woakes making up the quartet.
It is a strong position for England to be in three matches away from the start of the tournament – with the second of two remaining against Australia today and a warm-up against Pakistan next Monday. “I’m sure whoever plays against Afghanistan will be delighted but it’s a tournament where it’s going to take a whole squad to win. The guys are really excited,” said Curran.
Curran did his prospects no harm taking 7-2 defending 16 in the final over as England got over the line in a high-scoring opener in Perth even if he almost certainly needs to do more with the bat.
“It’s great to be in those situations,” Curran said. “Those are the moments you want to be involved in and hopefully we can keep getting better in those phases when the game’s on the line. I haven’t played much cricket in Australia before so it’s a great learning curve for me.
“We definitely want to win all these games. You take confidence from winning games and we’ll hopefully take that momentum into the World Cup.”
Chris Jordan may be in contention to return from a fractured finger in today’s second T20. Liam Livingstone has the final warm-up against Pakistan in Brisbane next Monday in his sights for a return.
