England’s Curran out of 4th Test, to arrive with limited-overs team
NEW DELHI: England let-arm fast bowler Sam Curran, who was supposed to join the England squad for the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad, will now arrive with the limited-overs squad and play the shorter format series that begin with the first T20I on March 12.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday that Curran could not arrive earlier on schedule due to logistical problems.
“Sam Curran will rejoin the England squad via the charter flight carrying other members of the limited-overs line-up to India, on Feb.26, it was announced today (Thursday). Originally it was planned the Surrey all-rounder would fly to Ahmedabad in time to be available for the fourth Test in the city, starting on March 4,” said a statement from the ECB.
“However, in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, making secure arrangements for such a journey proved too great a logistical challenge,” it added.
Curran returned to England ater the Test series in Sri Lanka as per England’s rotation policy.
The let-armer plays for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League and will play for the franchise ater the conclusion of the series against England.
‘follow Kohli’s spin class’
Geoffrey Boycot has told England to learn from the example of India captain Virat Kohli when it comes to bating on spin-friendly pitches.
England were twice dismissed cheaply on a Chennai pitch offering considerable turn as hosts India won the second Test by the huge margin of 317 runs on Tuesday to level the four-match series at 1-1.
Even though pitches around the word have long varied because of differences in climate, Boycot said England could use Indian conditions to their advantage -- especially if they understood how Kohli followed being bowled for nought by off-spinner Moeen Ali in India’s first innings with a second-innings 62.
“The great thing about Indian pitches is that they are not fast,” former England opener Boycot wrote in his Daily Telegraph column. “You have time to adjust and pick your shots.
Boycot, a renowned defensive batsman during a Test career that lasted from the mid 1960s to the early 1980s, added: “Look at how Virat Kohli batted in the second innings when the pitch was bad.
“He used the odd sweep shot but stuck to the basics and bated superbly.
“Virat defended with determination, his footwork was superb and at all times he was careful and watchful. His judgement of length was exceptional and his shot execution equally impressive.
“He showed that it is possible to bat properly,” insisted Boycot, who criticised England’s batsmen for trying to hit against the spin.
Meanwhile, Boycot was glad that Joe Root’s men “did not whinge about the pitch”, adding criticism of a surface ater an England defeat “sounds like sour grapes”.
“Nothing in the laws of cricket says the pitch should be flat for batsmen,” Boycot said.
“Every pitch in India spins. It is just a question of when and how much it turns.”
The third Test in Ahmedabad starts next Wednesday (February 24).
Meanwhile, England coach Chris Silverwood has apologised ater Moeen’s departure from the bio-bubble led to a controversy as it appeared that he was doing it on his own volition and not as per the plan of the England and Wales Cricket Board.