As England look to win their second T20 World Cup in three competitions, Sam Curran is dreaming of a repeat in 2022.
Curran was player of the tournament in England’s victory in Australia four years ago and took a total of 13 wickets, including three against Pakistan in the final.
The all-rounder was left out of the white-ball setup when Brendon McCullum took over as manager in early 2025, but earned a summer recall after impressing in county cricket for Surrey, The Hundred’s Oval Invincibles and other franchise leagues.
Curran’s half-century rescued England 60-6 in the T20 final against Sri Lanka at Pallekele.
Curran top-scored with 58 off 48 balls at number six as England secured a 3-0 T20I sweep in Sri Lanka on Tuesday. This comes as a morale booster ahead of the T20 World Cup opener against Nepal on Sunday. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 9:30am.
The 27-year-old, who also scored a hat-trick in the first T20 against Sri Lanka, said: “Hopefully I can perform well throughout this World Cup and be sitting here in similar scenes in 2022, whenever the team needs me, whatever position I play.
“I’m really excited to be playing for England again. It’s a huge boost of confidence. It’s a very exciting time for every player going to the World Cup.”
“I know my role with the ball will be very flexible and I’m very happy with that. I’m also really happy to score some runs and win this series.”
Curran’s versatile skills could prove crucial in this year’s T20 World Cup, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Curran praised the spinner for his ‘amazing performance’.
Curran’s second T20 international half-century came after England had slipped to 60-6, his effort taking the score to 128-9 and the tourists rolling Sri Lanka to 116 in 19.3 overs, their lowest fielding success in T20 cricket.
Part-time spinners Jacob Bethell (4-11) (taking three wickets in one over) and Will Jacks (3-14) defeated Sri Lanka, while senior slow bowlers Liam Dawson (1-25) and Adil Rashid (1-25) also bowled four overs.
Left-arm seamer Curran added: “It was great to win 3-0 away at home and defend to the lowest score we have ever defended.
Jacob Bethell took 4-11, including three wickets, as England swept Sri Lanka 3-0.
“I think our spinners have bowled well overall. We know Adil is our main strike bowler along with Dawson (but) we also see how Jacksy and Bethell have bowled exceptionally well.
“It was really good. I was on the boundary line, the ball was spinning a ton and the run rate required was going up.
“There were a lot of missed chances and a lot of good bowling, so I think the spinners can take a lot of confidence from that.
“Defending 130 is an incredible achievement.”
England, who extended their international T20 winning streak to 11 games against Sri Lanka, will play World Cup matches against West Indies (February 11), Scotland (February 14) and debutants Italy (February 16) after their opening match against Nepal.
Sri Lanka England – results and fixtures
Always UK and Ireland
England’s T20 World Cup Schedule (Round 1)
Always UK and Ireland; All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports
- vs Nepal (Sunday, February 8) – Mumbai (9:30 a.m.)
- vs West Indies (Wednesday 11 February) – Mumbai (1:30 PM)
- vs Scotland (Saturday 14 February) – Kolkata (9:30 a.m.)
- vs Italy (Monday February 16th) – Kolkata (9:30 a.m.)
