Sam proves to be all-round success on his return to team
ENGLAND all-rounder Sam Curran was there at the start and the end of his first Twenty20 international in more than a year and relished the new-found sense of responsibility.
Jonny Bairstow was the undisputed man-of-the-match as England took a 1-0 series lead over South Africa at Newlands, smashing an unbeaten 86 to see the chasers home, but Curran was another integral part of the performance.
He had missed England’s last nine T20s, partially due to workload management and partially as a result of the the separation of redand white-ball squads over the summer, but following a strong IPL season with Chennai Super Kings he was back with a bang in Cape Town.
He was handed the first over the match and promptly removed opener Temba Bavuma with his sixth delivery, and also picked up top-scorer Faf du Plessis and Heinrich Klaasen en route to personalbest figures of three for 28.
When he re-emerged in the England innings he was nerveless in helping Bairstow over the line, launching his second ball from Kagiso Rabada for six down the ground.
“It was a good day, obviously I took the new ball and tried to set the tone for the team and to get a wicket in the first over was pleasing,” he said. “Any time you’re asked to take the new ball in a T20 game for England is really great responsibility to have, to set the tone from ball one.
“It thought it was was a really nice performance, using the skills I have been working on for the past year and luckily enough it came out alright. Most importantly it was a good win and a pretty special knock from Jonny as well.”
Eoin Morgan’s side can wrap up the series in short order with victory in Paarl today, but will know they were second best for large periods in the first match against a side with considerably less match practice under their belts.
One player to feel the heat was Curran’s brother Tom, who was taken for a bruising 55 in his four overs, including 24 in his second.
He could well make way for the faster option of Durham’s Mark Wood this afternoon.