Sam Curran insists England in decent position against India in fourth Test despite top-order collapse

Curran defended England’s faltering top order, arguing that England’s late burst with the bat had given them the momentum going into day two

Sam Curran made a crucial late stand for England (Getty Images)

Despite being bowled out for just 246 after winning the toss, Sam Curran insisted that England were in a decent position after day one of the fourth Test. In swinging conditions, England’s top order again subsided with little resistance, only for Curran to stave off humiliation by rescuing England from 86-6 with his highest Test score of 78.

Curran defended England’s faltering top order, arguing that England’s late burst with the bat had given them the momentum going into day two. “It was pretty tough,” he admitted. “Obviously it swung massively throughout the day, even when the ball was 65 overs old. That surprised us a little bit. A lot of the batters have got some very good balls.

“We take it as a massive positive that we got 250, which looks like a decent score given how the wicket’s done. We go into tomorrow with a bit of momentum. Hopefully we can get a few early ones [wickets] in the first session.”

Curran, who is still only 20 years old, is now England’s second-highest run-scorer of the series, marginally behind Jonny Bairstow. After being named player-of-the-match at Edgbaston in the first Test, he was harshly dropped for the third last week, to make way for the return of Ben Stokes after the successful conclusion of his criminal trial. “I was disappointed,” he admitted, “but took it as a positive. It’s international sport.

Sam Curran shone at Lord's but was later dropped (AFP/Getty Images)

“I just tried to go out there not trying to prove a point, but playing naturally and freely. I just tried to play my natural game, like I played for Surrey last week: no fear, nice and positive, not trying to over-think it. Luckily enough it came off.

India seamer Jasprit Bumrah, the pick of the visiting bowlers with three wickets, was satisfied with his day’s work. “In the morning, if you’d told us we’d get them out for 250, we’d take that any day,” he said. “You can’t be too greedy. We’re happy with the score, and if we bat well, that will help us.