Sam Curran, a key figure in England’s recent white-ball success, has expressed disappointment at being overlooked for a Test recall following Ben Stokes’ hamstring injury earlier this summer. 

At 26 years old, Curran’s international career is at a crossroads, despite his impressive performances in previous tournaments, such as being named Player of the Final and Tournament in England’s T20 World Cup triumph in Australia two years ago.

Curran’s frustration stems from the fact that, despite his achievements, he has struggled to secure a consistent role in England’s white-ball setup. 

He believes that his lack of role clarity, which has been a cornerstone of his success in franchise cricket, may hinder his international progress. 

Additionally, with Brendon McCullum taking over as head coach, Curran feels he may not “fit the mould” of what England is looking for in their current team structure.

His performance in England’s unsuccessful T20 title defence earlier this year in the Caribbean was underwhelming, as he managed to take just three wickets at an average of 38.33 while batting for only 11 balls in five matches. 

Furthermore, Curran has not featured in the One-Day International (ODI) format since December 2023, when he was part of England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign.

Curran’s absence from Test cricket has also been notable. His last appearance in red-ball cricket for England was against India in August 2021, which means he has missed all 30 Test matches under McCullum’s tenure. 

Despite his knack for contributing to winning causes, having been part of 16 victories in his 24 caps, Curran has struggled to secure a place in the team, partly due to the presence of Ben Stokes as England’s primary all-rounder.

Curran’s physical limitations may also be contributing to his exclusion. Standing at 5ft9in, his medium-pace bowling does not align with the trend of favouring taller, faster bowlers. 

This was evident when 6ft7in left-armer Josh Hull was selected for a Test debut at Curran’s home ground, the Kia Oval, highlighting the preference for pace and height in England’s bowling attack.

Reflecting on his Test recall hopes, Curran admitted that he had anticipated an opportunity when Stokes was injured during The Hundred in August.

He revealed that he had a meeting with Rob Key, England’s director of cricket, to discuss his future in the Test side, but ultimately, he was left out of the squad for the series against Sri Lanka.

Curran acknowledges that England is focusing on selecting players with specific skills. His exclusion may not be due to a lack of ability but rather not fitting the current team structure.

However, the upcoming white-ball tour of the Caribbean offers Curran a chance to re-establish his credentials.

With several multi-format players absent, he hopes to take on a central role and prove his worth by performing well with both bat and ball.

Ultimately, Curran remains determined to earn his place back in the England squad, whether in Test cricket or white-ball formats.

His goal is clear: to score runs, take wickets, and help England win matches. He is eager to contribute to future success, whether in the Ashes or the Champions Trophy, and he remains hopeful that the next few months will provide the opportunity to prove his point.