by Sam Curran is hoping for a Test recall in the future but accepts what he brings to the table is not what England are currently looking for under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
The left-armer made an instant impact upon his introduction to Tests as a pugnacious 20-year-old in 2018, contributing lower-order runs and valuable wickets when he was named player of the series against India.
Despite gaining a reputation for making key interventions at critical times, Curran, now 26, was not used in the Stokes-McCullum era, having made the last of his 24 Test appearances three years ago.
Ignored when Stokes was injured over the summer, Curran was informed by England men’s cricket chief executive Rob Key that his bowling speeds in the low 80mph range counted against him.
“There’s no doubt they’re looking for extra pace,” Curran said. “I don’t think I’m going to be playing at 90mph overnight, so I’ve just got to do my best and be happy enough to try and win games for England.
“As a young player I was frustrated by these things, but now I’m a bit older I know how it works in terms of team balance and what they’re looking for.
“I feel like the way to get into these types of teams is to get fives and hundreds. The most important thing is to make sure you win the match, if you do that it will help a lot.
“It’s natural that I want to play in all three formats. I can only succeed in 50-over cricket or T20 cricket. The Test team has the players they have now and in 12 months it could be totally different.
There is one Curran who could be about to be recalled for the Test, with opening batter Ben, older than Sam but younger than another England international in Tom, now eligible and available to play for Zimbabwe – the homeland of the trio’s father, Kevin. , who featured in 11 ODIs for his country.
He made a stunning century in his last first-class outing and could be in contention for a debut Test against Afghanistan next month, while Zimbabwe are due to play a four-day Test against England in May.
“He’s playing in the national tournament there,” Curran said. “He’s started really well and I guess he’s officially taken the passport and he kind of wants to give it a good chance to play for Zimbabwe.
“I hope it goes to Zimbabwe and it will be special with the story of my dad and my family and stuff like that,” Curran said. “We will be incredibly proud of him. So, fingers crossed.
Curran is preparing for England’s decisive ODI match against the West Indies in Barbados, having made a run-a-ball 52 in Antigua in a 140 stand with Liam Livingstone that helped resolve the series.
He was left out of the ODI squad against Australia in September but was offered the opportunity to make the top six in the Caribbean in the absence of several regulars.
“I love my batting, I love my bowling,” Curran added. “I’m just trying to take my opportunity. It’s quite nice to feel like a senior player, but I hope I can contribute to a victory.
“I’m still pinching myself, I’m still quite young. I feel very experienced, I just hope I can contribute more with the bat in all the England teams as I do that a lot on the franchise circuit.
“I don’t really prioritize one over the other. I’ve probably been more of a bowling all-rounder, but who knows (what will happen) in the next 10-15 years of my career.
