Sam Curran has expressed his readiness to assume the role of England’s Test all-rounder following the retirement of Ben Stokes. The 28-year-old, who has represented England in 24 Test matches but has not played in the format since 2021, currently focuses on limited-overs cricket. With the vacancy created by Stokes’ departure, Curran emphasized his commitment to stepping up if given the opportunity.

“Stokesy’s going to be a big gap to fill,” Curran acknowledged. “But, yeah, I love playing for England. I don’t want to put pressure on myself, [but] I’m a competitive person — whatever challenge is thrown at me, I’ll try my best.”

Stokes retired recently, leaving England’s Test side without their established all-rounder, a position that encompasses significant responsibilities with both bat and ball. Curran’s experience, though limited in recent Test appearances, positions him as a potential successor capable of filling this critical role.

Meanwhile, England continues preparations for their upcoming T20 match against India at Emirates Old Trafford. The game is scheduled for this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. England’s squad for the match includes P. Salt, J. Buttler, H. Brook (captain), J. Bethell, T. Banton, S. Curran, W. Jacks, L. Dawson, J. Archer, A. Rashid, and J. Tongue.