IPL success could leave Sam’s Test hopes in balance
SAM CURRAN says excelling in all formats for England remains his goal but admits his Indian Premier League commitments might keep him out of the first Test of the summer.
Curran has signed up for the Chennai Super Kings for a second successive year, but the 2021 IPL schedule puts him and the likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer at risk of missing the opening five-day match of the season against New Zealand.
The IPL play-offs take place from May 25-28 with the final set for May 30, while the start of England’s twomatch series against New Zealand begins at Lord’s on June 2.
‘Any time there’s England games in the summer you do want to play in them,’ all-rounder Curran said.
‘You’ll have to see how the IPL pans out. I guess if you miss the qualification then most likely you’ll be available for those Tests. If you’re in the final it might be a bit different.
‘Those New Zealand Tests have come into the calendar recently and there’s a lot of Test cricket. We’ve got [five] games against India as well, which will be a fascinating series and hopefully in front of home crowds.
‘Fingers crossed I’m in those squads and hopefully playing. Every player wants to play in all three formats for England, that’s my goal.’
Curran has returned to the England bubble for this month’s two white-ball series against India after missing the 3-1 Test-series defeat.
The 22-year-old was rested after January’s tour of Sri Lanka and arrived in India on February 26. He spent a week in his room in quarantine before joining Eoin Morgan’s squad preparing for the five-match Twenty20 series in Ahmedabad, which starts on Friday. A three-match ODI series will follow.
Squad rotation is under scrutiny, with Test skipper Joe Root deprived of several players at various times in the recent series. Curran, though, is a fan.
‘I personally find it very beneficial,’ he said. ‘The bubbles are really tough from a player’s perspective, being away for long periods. I do feel really refreshed and raring to go.’
The series starts on Friday and England are at full strength for what is seen as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in India in October.
‘It is a World Cup year in T20 and there’s a lot of emphasis on us doing well in India,’ Curran said.
‘Any time you play for England you’re going out there to win, so hopefully I can put some form together and get in that World Cup squad.’
any time there’s england games in the summer you want to play in them