Sam Curran has expressed his disappointment at missing out on a Test recall following Ben Stokes’ hamstring injury this summer.
Despite being a crucial player in England’s white-ball setup, Curran feels at a crossroads in his international career, especially at the age of 26. He highlighted that he lacks clarity in his role within the white-ball format, which contrasts sharply with the clear roles he has experienced in franchise cricket.
After being a standout performer in the T20 World Cup victory in Australia two years ago, Curran’s recent performance in the Caribbean was less than stellar. He only managed three wickets at an average of 38.33 and had limited opportunities with the bat. His last ODI appearance was in December 2023, and he hasn’t played a Test match since August 2021 .
Curran’s absence from the current Test series against Sri Lanka was a surprise, especially given that Stokes’ injury created an opening. He had hoped this would lead to a recall but was ultimately disappointed. He noted that while the current selection policy under head coach Brendon McCullum favors taller, faster bowlers, his physical attributes—standing at 5ft 9in—might be working against him .
Despite these challenges, Curran remains optimistic and is determined to prove his worth during England’s upcoming eight-match tour of the Caribbean. He sees this as an opportunity to showcase his skills and take on a more prominent role in the absence of several multi-format players.
His goal remains to score runs, take wickets, and win games to earn his spot back in the England team, with hopes for a future Ashes tour and a Champions Trophy victory .
