Sam Curran Battles for Spot in England Squad as He Prepares to Receive MBE
As England’s all-rounder Sam Curran prepares to receive his MBE award upon his return from the Men’s T20 World Cup, the player finds himself in a challenging position, battling to secure a spot in the playing XI. Curran’s starring role in England’s trophy-winning campaign in late 2022 earned him this prestigious recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours last year.
However, this time around, the fierce competitor admits it has been “very difficult” to cement his place in the team, with his sole outing coming in the crucial 41-run victory against Namibia on Saturday. The rain-affected 10-over match forced England to reshuffle their strategy, leading to Curran’s inclusion.
“It shows the strength of our squad at the moment,” Curran acknowledges.
Curran remains optimistic, knowing that his opportunity will come, perhaps even in the World Cup final on June 29th. “I’ll have two days of good training here and if I get in that XI, I’ll be trying to make sure I stay in it,” he said.
Curran’s Past Success and Current Challenges
Curran’s proficiency at the death, with his array of slower ball bouncers, cutters, and yorkers, proved to be a revelation in the previous T20 World Cup in Australia, where he was named the Player of the Tournament. However, a tougher time followed during England’s 3-2 defeat by West Indies in the Caribbean last winter, leading to his slide onto the substitutes’ bench for this global tournament.
The left-arm all-rounder remains positive, recognizing the value of being at a World Cup again and the opportunity to work on his technique during his time on the sidelines. “I’ve played so much cricket over the last 12 months, sometimes when I’m on the sidelines it’s a good opportunity to be refreshed and work on a bit of technique,” Curran said.
As England prepares for their first Super Eight encounter with West Indies in St Lucia on Wednesday night, Curran hopes to play a key role in the team’s ongoing World Cup campaign, drawing on his previous experiences and the strength of the squad.
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