Sam Curran, the impact performer for England


image-laglxexoSam Curran (Source: AP Newsroom)

England have emerged as the winner of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 after beating Pakistan in the final. It has been some impactful performances from some of the players that has helped England culminate a successful tournament.

But the man who stood out throughout the tournament for Jos Buttler was Sam Curran. Whenever Buttler has handed over the ball to Curran, he has given the skipper returns. From the very beginning of the tournament, he found a great rhythm with the ball. If we look at his overall performance in the tournament, this is what we see.

Match wise performance of Sam Curran

vs Afghanistan: 5 for 10 in 3.4 overs

vs Ireland: 2 for 31 in 3 overs

vs New Zealand: 2 for 26 in 4 overs

vs Sri Lanka: 1 for 27 in 4 overs

vs India (Semi-final) : 0 for 42 in 4 overs

vs Pakistan (Final) : 3 for 12 in 4 overs

We can see that he has been amongst wickets in all the matches barring the semi final against India. But on the day of the final, when it mattered the most he picked up 3 wickets conceding just 12 runs from his 4 overs. It was his impact for England that earned him the player of the match in the final and also the player of the tournament award. 

But the plain figures do not give a clear picture of Sam Curran's impact in England's performance during the World Cup. 

Hence, let us take a deeper look into his phase wise bowling performance during the tournament. 

Sam Curran phase wise bowling performance

Powerplay

Overs: 7.0 Runs Conceded: 45 Wickets: 2 Economy: 6.43 Balls Per Wicket: 21 Runs Per Wicket: 22.5

Middle Overs

Overs: 5 Runs Conceded: 33 Wickets: 2 Economy: 6.66 Balls Per Wicket: 15 Runs Per Wicket: 16.5

Death Overs

Overs: 10.4 Runs Conceded: 70 Wickets: 9 Economy: 6.56 Balls Per Wicket: 7.1 Runs Per Wicket: 7.77

Sam Curran's impact

The figures give us the idea that Sam Curran has been the most effective during the death overs. In the phase where batters have looked to try and take the attack on to him, Curran has picked up a wicket every 7 deliveries conceding just about 8 runs. 

This is the reason England was the top ranked team in the death overs if bowling efficiency is considered. The cost effectivity of the death overs of English bowling was very high. 

Even in the other phases of the match, Sam did a great job. But his bowling style is more suited for the death phase and hence he has been more successful there. He has been brilliant with his variations and read the batter's intentions and match situations very nicely. 

For a man who spent most of his time last year in rehabilitation, it was a remarkable feat by Sam Curran. From not being the main fray of England's T20 selections to coming in and becoming the lead bowler is a r great redemption story to take inspiration from.

Salute to the young all-rounder and the rightly crowned Player of the Tournament. 


Also Read: What if Shaheen Afridi completed his spell in the T20 World Cup 2022 final?