Sam Curran Returns to England T20I Squad as Ben Duckett Rested After Dip in Form

England recall Sam Curran for T20Is against South Africa and Ireland after his strong domestic form, while Ben Duckett is handed a week’s rest.

England have brought back Sam Curran into their T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa and Ireland, while Ben Duckett has been given an extra week’s rest after a dip in form.

Sam Curran, who has not played for England in any format this year or under Brendon McCullum’s coaching, has earned a recall on the back of his strong domestic form. In 24 appearances across the T20 Blast and The Hundred this summer, he scored 603 runs at a strike rate of 154.21 and claimed 33 wickets, leading to his inclusion in squads for all six of England’s upcoming fixtures.

Sam Curran’s recall comes just a day after South Africa highlighted England’s weakness in relying too much on part-time spinners Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks, who together conceded 112 runs for just one wicket in 10 overs during the second ODI at Lord’s. Curran’s inclusion adds much-needed balance and flexibility to England’s squad.

Ben Duckett has been given an extra week’s rest ahead of England’s winter tours to New Zealand and Australia. Over the past year, he has become a regular across all formats, but in the recent match on Thursday, he struggled badly, managing only 14 runs from 33 balls in a scratchy innings that reflected his dip in form.

Ben Duckett had a strong run in the summer, scoring 462 runs in nine innings during England’s drawn Test series against India. However, his form has dipped since then, as he has crossed 20 only once in his last 10 innings eight of those in the Hundred, where his highest score for Birmingham Phoenix was 49 not out, and two in this week’s ODIs. With Duckett rested, England are likely to open with Jamie Smith and Phil Salt against South Africa next week, while Jacks or Tom Banton could step in for Smith in the Ireland series.

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