England all-rounder Sam Curran is making a serious case for a return to Test cricket, nearly four years since his last appearance in the longest format. With an impressive run of form in the County Championship, Curran is reminding selectors of the value he brings with both bat and ball.
Dominating the County Championship with the Bat
On June 29, during Surrey’s County Championship clash against Durham, Curran delivered yet another standout performance. The left-hander smashed 108 off just 124 balls on day one, helping Surrey post a formidable 407/3 by stumps. This marked Curran’s second first-class century and further underlined his evolution into a dependable top-order contributor.
Curran’s red-ball stats over the past year are particularly eye-catching. In his last 14 first-class innings, he has scored 797 runs at an average of 56.92 while maintaining a strike rate above 80. Predominantly batting at No.6, Curran has notched up nine scores of 50 or more, crossing the 70-run mark on seven occasions. While he has only converted two of those into centuries, his consistency is becoming hard to ignore.
All-Round Value: Runs and Wickets
It’s not just with the bat that Curran has impressed. He has also chipped in with the ball, taking 15 wickets at an average of 28 during this same period. This dual-threat performance makes him a compelling option for England’s Test setup.
While Curran appears to have developed into a solid top-six batter, his most realistic entry point into the current England Test side might be at No.8—potentially as an alternative to Chris Woakes. That lower-middle-order spot allows England to benefit from Curran’s explosive batting style and handy medium pace, making him a valuable asset in both home and away conditions.
As England looks to refresh and reshape their Test squad, especially with an eye on future tours, Sam Curran’s recent red-ball form might just earn him the call-up he’s been working toward.
