Ashes 2019: Sam Curran is a game-changer for England, says Alec Stewart
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By Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Old Trafford
Sam Curran is a”game-changer”, said former England captain Alec Stewart following the all-rounder took three wickets on the second evening of the fifth Test against Australia at The Oval.
As the tourists were dismissed by England for 225 curran supported Jofra Archer’s 6-62.
“When he’s into a rhythm, swinging the ball either way he can really affect the game,” Stewart informed Test Match Special.
“That was the finest he has bowled for England. He adhered to his lines and lengths quite well, the very best he has done for a while.”
Curran, 21, was named man of this series his first summer in cricket.
His only previous Test this year came before the Ashes, against Ireland, after fellow all-rounder Ben Stokes was deemed unfit to bowl due to a shoulder injury, along with the Surrey man was recalled on his home ground.
A 15 was made by him but was fantastic bowling in tandem in a stage taking two wickets in two balls on Friday, with Archer.
“Sam’s batting had been inexplicable yesterday and it revealed a little nerves and also how hard it is coming in against this Australia pace attack having been from international cricket for a little while,” added Stewart, Curran’s director of championships at Surrey.
“Using the ball, he would like to take a wicket each ball and we keep telling him you can not do that, you have to set the batsman up.
“That spell that he bowled with Jofra Archer was outstanding.”
Archer and curran assisted England have a lead of 69 runs, when they closed the next day on 9-0 a single that has been extended to 78.
“We will need to bat as long and as large as possible as it is a fantastic wicket,” said Curran. “We need to try and bat them out of the game.”
Curran said his absence by the England side throughout the Ashes was”frustrating”, but that he had been pleased to return on his home ground.
“To play here is really special and obtaining a wickets for the group is the major matter,” he said.
“It’s really nice to be playing again. I just had to wait for my turn and fortunately it arrived.”
Stewart scored 8,463 runs in 133 Tests, and Curran joked that if he could imitate those feats, he too could be honoured in similar fashion at The Oval.
“Stewie is just one of my great heroes,” said Curran. “I saw him this afternoon and had a little banter about getting some gates called after me.
“It was all good fun. I am nowhere near Stewie’s degree. Perhaps one day.”
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Analysis and opinion from the cricket correspondent of the BBC.
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