Curran wants chance to replace Stokes in Test team

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Sam Curran played the last of his 24 Tests in 2021 Cricket correspondent at Emirates Old TraffordPublished44 minutes agoSam Curran wants the opportunity to fill the vacancy left by Ben Stokes, but said he will not be putting pressure on himself to make a return to Test cricket. Stokes' sudden retirement leaves England looking for a new captain and a solution for how to balance the team for their next series, against Pakistan in August. Curran played the last of his 24 Tests in 2021, featuring for England only in white-ball formats since then. But the 28-year-old would perhaps be the best option as a like-for-like replacement in Stokes' role as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Asked whether he would welcome the call, Curran told BBC Sport: "Yeah, of course. "But it's one of those things where I just want to try to perform my best and whenever the time comes they decide whoever is going to replace Stokesy - playing for England is amazing and I'm a competitive guy. "When I've got a ball or bat in my hand I just try to do my best, so we'll see what happens." The problem of Stokes' absence was made apparent to England when he missed the second Test against New Zealand following an incident in a London nightclub. Without Stokes, they chose an extra specialist batter, omitted spinner Shoaib Bashir and fielded four frontline seamers. That could be a formation England repeat now Stokes has gone for good, though it does leave the team unbalanced - finding an all-rounder would allow for a five-man attack, including a spinner. Surrey's Curran would be an option at seamer, while spin-bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed has been in England's squads for the three Tests this summer. Another spin-bowling all-rounder, James Coles, was on Friday called up to the England one-day squad for the first time. Curran said he and other players are aware of the speculation as to who will replace Stokes. "It's something you have to always deal with," he said. "There's no doubt, with Ben Stokes retiring there will be hype around it. "At the same time, I'm sure whoever comes in will do their best and try to get the focus on them, rather than on Ben. There's no doubt he will be a big miss for England, and we'll see how it goes. "There is a lot of noise on Stokesy retiring, but I don't really want to put too much pressure on myself. Whatever happens over the next few weeks, my main thing is to try to contribute and win games for England, and what will be, will be." 'I'm done' - Stokes rules out reversing retirement Published3 days agoMcCullum & Key should go in 'complete clearout' - Vaughan Published3 days agoWhat next for English cricket, the leadership and Stokes? Published3 days agoStokes created moments and the moments are no more Published3 days agoEngland XI to face India in second T20: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (capt), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue. Figure caption, Would Curran return to England's Test team? Curran is part of the England XI to take on India in the second T20 at Old Trafford on Saturday. England have made two changes from the XI who played in the abandoned series opener on Wednesday, with Jofra Archer and debutant Josh Tongue coming in to replace fellow pace bowlers Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood. The hosts will once again be led by Harry Brook, the Test vice-captain. Before the first T20 at Chester-le-Street, Brook said it would be an "honour" to be asked to succeed Stokes as Test captain. So far on their tour of Ireland and England, India have resisted handing a debut to 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. And Morne Morkel, the world champions' bowling coach, appeared to suggest the opener will once again be on the sidelines in Manchester. "We've had the number one batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Sansom was the player of the World Cup," said Morkel. "As a coaching staff, it's only fair to show faith and back your players. Yes, there's a young man knocking on the door and it's exciting, but it's a good sign that we show that we back the guys." Meanwhile, Coles has followed his call-up to the England T20 squad by joining the group for the three ODIs against India later this month. Zak Crawley was part of the England squad for their last ODI series, in Sri Lanka in January, but after the opener from the Test team he has also now lost his place in the 50-over squad. Jacob Bethell is expected to be promoted to partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order. England squad for one-day international series v India: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, James Coles, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue Get cricket news sent straight to your phone

Curran wants chance to replace Stokes in Test team

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