Tom keen to make his mark

The Cricket World Cup may be almost eight months away but England seamer Tom Curran believes the countdown begins in Sri Lanka this week.

The 2019 tournament has been a long-term priority for the England and Wales Cricket Board and there are now just three one-day series to finalise four years of preparations.

That leaves a maximum of 15 matches for players, like Curran, who are still looking to cement a place in the ICC’s top-ranked side. The first of those takes place in Dambulla on Wednesday and the wider context is unavoidable for those involved.

“You try not to think too far ahead but it’s hard not to think about the World Cup next year,” said the 23-year-old.

“It’s about taking small steps, concentrating on one game at a time but with one small eye on the World Cup, it’s a great event for everyone involved.

“Now it’s about making it permanent, so that I am one of the first bowlers on the team-sheet. That’s my goal and I’m trying hard for that.”

Curran did not feature in England’s warm-up victory over a Sri Lankan Board XI but was pencilled in for a second tour match which was abandoned without a ball bowled due to thunderstorms in Colombo.

Violent downpours followed the tourists as they travelled to the island’s forest region and cabin fever could be a problem if conditions do not relent to allow the squad some middle practice in the next 48 hours.

“This is end of the world type rain, nothing like the rain back home,” said Curran.

“A few boys have gone to the gym, a bit of recovery and a bit of Xbox, but there’s only a certain amount of that you can do. It’s not ideal but we flew over off the back of a full summer of playing, so we’re not short of game time.”

Curran has not played for his country since the New Zealand tour in March.