ENG vs SA: "I Almost Want To Try To Copy Him" - Sam Curran Aiming To Emulate Ben Stokes In England's ODI Team

Sam Curran, an all-rounder for England, admitted that he mimics Ben Stokes because he has always looked up to the latter. Stokes has left a vacuum, but Curran, who recently made a comeback from injury, is not now looking too far ahead.

Last week, Stokes announced his retirement from one-day international cricket, citing an “unsustainable schedule” that included various game forms. The 30-year-old, who is now England’s Test captain, has decided to focus on playing T20 cricket.

I Have Looked Up To Ben Stokes As A Cricketer: Sam Curran

Stokes, who Curran believes is a major loss for England’s ODI system, is someone who Curran has stated he has always looked up to. The left-arm seamer expressed his desire to continue making a difference with both the bat and the ball.

The Cricketer cited the 24-year-old as saying the following:

“I’ve always looked up to Stokesy as a cricketer. I almost want to try to copy him. He’s obviously a huge loss and the boys are going to miss him, but any time I’m playing I don’t want to look too far ahead. Just want to contribute when I’m batting and bowling.

“I wouldn’t say it has changed much for me personally, just every time I get the opportunity I want to make sure I’m contributing.”

After making his ODI debut in August 2011 against Ireland, Stokes went on to play 105 ODIs, scoring 2,924 runs and taking 74 wickets. The Durham all-rounder, who scored an undefeated 84 against New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 final, was crucial to England’s triumph.

Always Tried To Follow The Way He Trains And The Way He Plays: Sam Curran

“I’ve always tried to follow the way he trains and the way he plays. Obviously, he’s retired from one-day cricket now but he’ll go down as one of the greats for England. But always I try to be positive. That’s the message Jos has said to me and the team. It’s pretty obvious that Stokesy is going to be a massive miss.

“The experience of an all-rounder who has played over 100 games for England, a leader, captain of the Test team now. The experience he brings, chatting about what the wicket is doing, how things will work, angles at the crease, small things like that.”

After England defeated South Africa by 118 runs in Manchester, Sam Curran was named Player of the Match for his 35 off 18 balls with the bat and statistics of 2-0-5-1 with the ball.

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