US Politics
England's ODI tri-series hopes were ended by Pakistan's loss to Sri Lanka - but a place in the final would have papered over cracks. And Sam Curran is in danger of falling down one of them.
England's One Day International (ODI) hopes were dashed following Pakistan's loss to Sri Lanka, a result that rendered any potential place in the final a moot point. However, the performance of all-rounder Sam Curran has become a focal point of concern.
Curran is reportedly falling victim to a lack of form and suitability for the ODI format, despite his success in Twenty20 (T20) cricket. The suspicion remains that he is more effective in T20s than in ODIs, partly because the onus on batsmen to take more risks plays into his changes of pace. His T20 form has not translated into the 50-over game, with questions raised about his effectiveness and the responsibility placed upon him.
Last week, Curran became the first England bowler to concede over 100 runs in an ODI during a match against Sri Lanka. This statistic highlights the challenges he has faced in the longer format of the game. His bowling has been described as too slow and predictable, and the amount of responsibility he is given may be proving too much.
At 28 years old, Curran's ODI statistics are considered underwhelming. He has scored 737 runs at an average of 23 with a strike rate of 86. With the ball, he has taken 46 wickets at an average of 41, with an economy rate of 6.28. These figures suggest a disparity between his T20 and ODI contributions.
The ongoing faith in Curran's ODI abilities is being questioned, with the current trend suggesting that his role and performance in this format are backfiring. His inability to translate his T20 success, where he is known as a 'swarm harmoniser', into ODIs is a key concern for the England team.