Don’t let it stress me out this time around

CURRAN CLOSING IN ON HIS DREAM

SAM CURRAN is crossing his fingers he stays fit for England’s T20 World Cup campaign after missing out in agonising circumstances last time.

The all-rounder reached the eve of last year’s event only to be ruled out with a stress fracture in his lower back – an injury that also sank his Ashes hopes.

But after playing a key role in England’s build-up, including a nerveless display at the death to help win the first T20 against Australia last Sunday, Curran admits he is starting to dream.

“It’s a scary thing to get excited about, because I missed the last World Cup and we’re nearly there,” he said. “There are still two more games against Australia to come as well.

“Missing last year’s World Cup was gutting. I probably didn’t play much red-ball cricket this summer due to the body. The main focus has always been trying to get fit for this. I know, for myself, I’ve probably just got to keep trying to put in some performances and, if it works, it works and, if it doesn’t, I’ll keep smashing away.”

Curran has put himself in the mix for a starting place in England’s campaign, which begins against Afghanistan on October 22, by showcasing ice-cool death bowling in the series opener against Australia.

Skipper Jos Buttler, left, will probably have to decide on two from four, with Chris Jordan, David Willey and Chris Woakes making up the quartet. It is a strong position for England to be in three matches away from the start of the tournament – with the second of two remaining games against Australia today and a warm-up against Pakistan next Monday.

Curran said: “I’m sure whoever plays against Afghanistan will be delighted but it’s a tournament where it’s going to take a whole squad to win. The guys are excited.”

Curran did his prospects no harm by taking 2-7 defending 16 in the final over as England got over the line in a high-scoring opener in Perth – even if he almost certainly needs to do more with the bat.

“Those are the moments you want to be involved in and, hopefully, we can keep getting better in those phases when the game’s on the line,” Curran said.

“I haven’t played much cricket in Australia before so it’s a great learning curve for me.

“We want to win all these games. You take confidence from winning and we’ll hopefully take momentum into the World Cup.”

Jordan may be in contention to return from a fractured finger in today’s second T20. Liam Livingstone has the final warm-up against Pakistan, in Brisbane next Monday, in his sights for a return.