Sam Curran earns maiden England Test call up as cover for Stokes
Surrey allrounder Sam Curran has been drafted into England’s Test squad as cover for Ben Stokes who is suffering from a tight left hamstring.
Curran arrived in Leeds on Wednesday night and trained with the squad at Headingley on Thursday.
Stokes was at times England’s most threatening bowler in the first Test though he has struggled for batting form.
Curran took a ten wicket haul in his last first class match, an historic victory for Surrey over Yorkshire in the second week of May.
The left-handed Curran hasn’t had much batting to do for Surrey in the Royal London One Day Cup but he has the potential to be a top quality allrounder.
ALSO READ: Buttler rested for Scotland ODI, returns for Aussies
Curran has hit ten first class fifties in 38 matches and has taken 104 wickets at 30.44.
Stokes is likely to take a last minute fitness test on Friday morning ahead of the start of the second Test against Pakistan.
An ECB update on his condition added: “He feels better this morning.
“He has dome some running at full intensity without issues, (but is) expected to have a fitness test in the morning.”
Pakistan lead the two Test series 1-0 after an emphatic nine wicket victory at Lord’s.
Latest
-
Test cricketAustralia tour to Pakistan: Pace attack could be boosted
Australia are likely to include a raft of pace bowlers in their squad for the scheduled tour to Pakistan in March.
-
Test cricketSouth Africa vs India: Keegan Petersen still coming to terms with stardom
New South Africa batting star Keegan Petersen has not quite gotten his head around his newfound fame.
-
The AshesAshes reaction: Kevin Pietersen backs Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has backed current captain Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood to remain in charge of the team.
-
The AshesEngland Test team: ECB investigating after police called to Ashes drinks following Hobart Test
Players and staff from both the Australian and English teams were at the event.
-
Test cricketRassie van der Dussen relished India banter in tough Test series
The series between South Africa and India rode on a knife-edge.
-
ODI cricketIndia in South Africa: Jasprit Bumrah philosophical on leadership changes
Coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli have departed recently.
-
The AshesBroad and company: It’s our combined Ashes comedy XI
Everyone loves a combined XI at the end of the series; ours is a little different/better.
-
The AshesEngland Test team: Coach Chris Silverwood unsure what future holds after Ashes
England lost 4-0 Down Under.
-
EnglandRacism in cricket: ECB to give update to DCMS committee in January
The DCMS committee has recommended public funding to cricket be limited if it does not make sufficient progress on racism.
-
The AshesWomen’s Ashes: Lisa Keightley admits England are ‘still rusty’ ahead of bid to regain the Urn
The multi-format series was brought forward by a week and will start with three T20 matches at the Adelaide Oval.