Sam Curran aiming his return to struggling England Test side after injury

Sam Curran is eyeing a return to the England side for their Test series against New Zealand that is scheduled in June 2022. He has been out of action since October 2021 owing to a back injury that he suffered during IPL 2021. As a result, he was ruled out of the T20 World Cup, the Ashes Series, and opted out of IPL 2022.

The 23-year-old believes that the time he has spent away from the game has made him stronger and he aims to make his comeback to the England squad. Curran was a part of the Chennai Super Kings in the 2021 edition of the cash-rich event.

“Of course it (the back injury) is a concern but I guess it’s been an opportunity for me to have time away from the game. I haven’t stopped for six years from school. I’ve really enjoyed just working on my technique – bowling technique and batting technique – which I haven’t done for a long time because it’s always been game, travel, game. It’s always been just constant matches,” Curran told The Daily Mail UK.

I’m back bowling now: Sam Curran

“So I guess there’s always going to be nerves (about) if it’s healed, so that’s why I’m not rushing back, I’m just managing. But I’m back bowling now, I’m bowling in training. There’s a lot of cricket this summer so I’m almost timing it that I get a good summer, make it perfectly in time for the summer Test against New Zealand in June,” he added.

England suffered a defeat against West Indies in the three-match Test series. After two drawn matches, West Indies stole the show in the third and deciding Test, bowling England out for 120 in the second innings, resulting in an easy chase of 28 runs. They will now be facing the World Test champions – the Kiwis – in their next assignment.

“Having watched the winter it was hard to kind of put myself in their shoes and I wanted to be on the field helping them. It’s always the goal to contribute with bat and ball, I like to see myself as that impact player. When I’m batting, bat like a batsman, when I’m bowling, try and bowl like a first-class bowler. My sights are always set on trying to get in that England side in the summer. I feel like I’ve done some really good work, made some good changes, but I don’t want to put pressure on myself because it’s not very helpful. Come next week it’s all about just hoping you’re fit, hoping you’re strong and let’s go,” Curran concluded