Curran to delay trip

SAM CURRAN has not travelled to India as scheduled this week as England attempt to avert ‘bubble’ fatigue.

Surrey all-rounder Curran was meant to fly out to the subcontinent with Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood to begin a six-day quarantine period on Friday, allowing the trio to be ready for selection for the third Test in Ahmedabad starting on February 24.

However, the 22-year-old will now join the squad next week in a bid to be available for the fourth Test at the same venue after discussions with the England management that included the option of skipping the series altogether. One of the by-products of creating biosecure bubbles is that multiple players are left sitting on the sidelines inactive for several weeks if they are squad members or reserves.

‘Sam’s been given a few extra days to recharge his batteries after a lot of cricket and time in a behind-closed-doors environment,’ said an England spokesman.