“England have a player that they can put where they want depending on the situation they are in”; Mark Butcher says England’s all-rounder Sam Curran “can do it all” after the 23-year-old ODI took a five-for-five win over Sri Lanka.
Sam Curran claimed her A maiden list and five for ODI when England defeated Sri Lanka
Mark Butcher praised Sam Curran as “someone who can do it all” after his five-five win in England’s second one-day international win over Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval.
Curran swept Sri Lanka’s top three as the tourists tumbled to 21-4 within the first seven overs, before finishing with a career-best 4-48.
The 23-year-old all-rounder is putting out increasingly consistent performances for England, across all three formats, and Butcher believes the many facets of his game are a great strength.
“He’s really someone who can do it all,” Butcher said.
“The phrase ‘utility player’ is often used to describe athletes in this country in a slightly derogatory way. But when it comes to someone like Curran, it isn’t.
“He can open the bowling alley, bowling to the death, take wickets in the middle, hit number three or seven and he can finish.
“He’s going to get better too. But England already have a player that they can put where they want depending on the situation they’re in.
Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has witnessed Curran’s growth firsthand while playing against him in the IPL for the past two seasons.
“His main ability is his ability to compete. He’s really fierce,” Karthik said.
“In the IPL, there is a lot of pressure in every game. He has consistently faced the challenge and with each passing day, he is improving.
“He’s even started hitting a couple of times in the IPL. To me, that shows that the coaches, Captain, believe he has the ability to hit.
“He has everything you need to be a good cricketer and he’s growing taller every day.”
Watch the third and final ODI between England and Sri Lanka, from Bristol, live on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 401) and Sky Sports Main Event (channel 401) starting at 10.30am. M. From Sunday.
