England start T20 World Cup marketing campaign vs Afghanistan on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket; Quick bowler Reece Topley now an damage doubt after rolling ankle in coaching; Sam Curran: “We’re undoubtedly prepared now. We’re feeling like we’re nearly not peaking however we’re taking part in good cricket”
Final Up to date: 18/10/22 8:05am
Reece Topley has emerged as an damage doubt for England on account of a rolled ankle
England bowler Reece Topley has emerged an an damage doubt forward of their first T20 World Cup match vs Afghanistan on Saturday.
Topley rolled his left ankle on a bit of commercial foam on the boundary throughout some catching drills at Brisbane on Monday afternoon and didn’t function within the remaining warm-up towards Pakistan.
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Highlights of the T20 World Cup warm-up match between Pakistan and England
England introduced Topley “shall be assessed all through this week” and are hopeful of a swift restoration, however they do have Tymal Mills and Richard Gleeson on standby if the difficulty proves to be extra critical.
It’s an undesirable headache for England as they journey to Perth to tackle Afghanistan on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 11.30am, with Topley changing into an more and more reliable determine within the white-ball ranks for the reason that flip of the yr.
The 6ft 7in left-arm seamer, who has overcome a number of stress fractures in his again throughout his profession, has taken 17 wickets in 16 T20s in 2022 and might bowl anyplace in an innings – with an economic system price of seven.8 spectacular given he operates primarily within the powerplay on the demise.
Sam Curran and David Willey are England’s different left-armers in England’s 15-strong squad.
Quick bowler Topley (proper) has turn out to be a key man inside England’s T20 ranks
Curran is anticipated to be in England’s XI towards Afghanistan, regardless of whether or not Topley options, and believes they’re monitoring nicely after an enchancment in outcomes just lately following a disappointing summer time.
England recorded a 4-3 win in Pakistan after which thrashed the identical opponents by six wickets in a low-key observe match on Monday, having additionally crushed World Cup hosts and defending champions Australia 2-0.
“We’re undoubtedly prepared now,” Curran mentioned. “We’re feeling like we’re nearly.. not peaking… however we’re taking part in good cricket.
“We’re actually excited, hopefully with a few good coaching periods in Perth, come the weekend we’ll be good.”
Bowler Sam Curran has impressed of late for England and shall be necessary vs Afghanistan of their T20 World Cup opener
Curran, who was dominated out of final yr’s World Cup shortly earlier than the match with a stress fracture in his decrease again, had some success towards Australia bowling the 18th and twentieth overs.
Famend for his behavior of being entrance and centre within the essential moments of a sport, Curran demonstrated his all-round means with an unbeaten 33 off 14 balls towards Pakistan on Monday.
Moved as much as sixth within the order, one spot larger than the place he’s prone to bat towards Afghanistan if he’s chosen, Curran confirmed he’s fairly adept on the ending position with a cluster of boundaries.
Whereas batting in the direction of the tip of an innings is thought to be some of the troublesome points to excellent in T20 cricket, Curran revealed he takes his cues from these above him.
“It is very difficult nevertheless it’s only a position you have to take pleasure in,” Curran mentioned. “Guys like Moeen (Ali), (Liam) Livingstone, Harry Brook are skilled in that middle-over section so they assist me by means of it.
“You have to prepare possibly in a sure manner, (attempt to) predict what you are going to face. You see the way in which Livi performs, he is aware of his position, he is aware of he will are available in and be attacking.
“There shall be some days the place it would not work, some days the place it does. We knew we may get one thing out of this sport (towards Pakistan) however the way in which we performed was actually spectacular.”
Curran says England are “undoubtedly prepared” to be unleashed onto the World Cup
Whereas England go into the World Cup in buoyant temper after current outcomes, Curran warned towards complacency given the primary two days have already produced a few shocks, with Scotland upsetting the West Indies, the 2012 and 2016 champions, a day after Namibia shocked Asia Cup winners Sri Lanka.
“You’re taking confidence from (successful) however on the similar time, you’ve got seen a number of the outcomes already on the World Cup,” Curran added. “It is a T20 format, something may occur.
“Afghanistan are a aspect which are extraordinarily skilful, they have a world-class gamers who can win you video games by themselves. We all know it will be a extremely robust opening sport.”
