If at all England’s plans were to include a four-seamer strong attack of the likes of Broad and Anderson, Stokes and Woakes and were planning to play Sam Curran as the fifth seam option, the youngster being an avid all rounder, then it seems that may no longer be the best plan against the visiting West Indies. Well, not at least, until the completion of the First Test match.
At 22, the Northamptonshire-born all-rounder has given England young impetus with his ability to swing the bat, hold onto an end, and bowl useful spells. His young career, brimming with confidence, abled by a tally that’s closing in on 1,000 runs and with 37 wickets from 17 games may have wanted to grab some more milestones in what lies ahead.
But now it seems Sam Curran will have to wait for a bit as the left-arm medium pacer is currently self-isolating having taken ill, as held by the reports.
Whether it is actually the COVID-19 epidemic or just a seasonal flu, one is not sure, as the only immediate report confirms Sam Curran shall not take part in the planned warm-up game among the English players in a bid for their preparation against the West Indies.
A report surrounding Sam Curran’s health update was made available by the England Cricket Board or the ECB, as one calls it earlier on July 2, 2020.
Although, it’s not that Sam Curran didn’t feature in the first warm-up game at all, having participated on Day 1 of the warm-up contest featuring in Joss Buttler’s team.
Interestingly, should Curran not regain his fitness for the First of the three tests slated to begin July 8, it would mean he’d have to wait for a bit before facing the West Indies for the first time on home soil.
As a matter of fact, of the 17 Test matches, Curran has participated in 2 of them against Jason Holder’s team previously wherein he gathered 50 runs from 4 innings.
Part of a report published on Cricbuzz.com shared the following in regards to the Sam Curran development:
Curran featured for his team on Day 1 of the warm-up game but had sickness and diarrhoea the same night. According to the ECB, the all-rounder felt better on Thursday afternoon. “He (Curran) has been monitored by the team doctor throughout and was tested for COVID-19 earlier today,” ECB revealed.
That being said, there are also a couple of interesting questions that the English fan would want immediate answers of. First, who’s going to captain the team in the absence of Joe Root, who’s slated to miss the first contest in lines with a personal family affair. Will we see Joss Buttler captain the team, in which case, will Ben Stokes play vice-captain or is it going to be the other way around?
Whichever way, the series does promise massive excitement, with both teams locking horns in a ghost series and thus bringing back with them, the sport we have all longed for. Can’t wait for July 8.
Who will prevail between the West Indies and England?