The Worst Feeling I Have Ever Had- Tom Curran
Published - 26 Dec 2017, 06:38 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:47 PM
Debutant Tom Curran missed out on a dream start to his Test career when he was denied the wicket of David Warner on 99 runs after overstepping. However, the young fast bowler showed a lot of prospect on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.
Curran was smart throughout the day bowling tight lines and mixing his pace after receiving the Test cap from English legend Bob Willis.
The delivery that tempted Warner into an errant top-edge pull was a no-ball; however, it didn’t affect him negatively and responded with fire and positive attitude that motivated the entire English attack in the afternoon season when they fought their way back picking three crucial wickets.
The young bowler didn’t even shy out from the verbal confrontation with Warner soon after the Australian reached his hundred.
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“I’m gutted for him. It was hard to watch, really, seeing the elation on his face and then watch it drain from his face a few seconds later when the big screen came up. It’s heartbreaking but one of the things you learn the hard way, on Boxing Day at the MCG,” veteran seamer James Anderson said.
Curran himself admitted that it was the worst feeling, but he is looking at the positives.
“It was horrible, the worst feeling I’ve had, but looking at the positives, I get to get my first wicket twice,” Curran stated.
Curran comes from a cricketing family with his father Kevin Curran, a former all-rounder from Zimbabwe team and his brother Sam is a left-arm swing bowler.
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His figures of none for 44 from 17 overs with an economy of 2.58 all drew high praise from Aussie legend Glenn McGrath.
“Curran has good energy. As a young guy in his first Test, you want to see that anyway but he bowls good areas and the ball skids on. He will have to do a little bit in the air and have good control but he is bowling well here,” McGrath stated while talking to BBC Test Match Special.
Another Australian legend Shane Warne also termed Curran as the pick of England bowlers from the commentary box.
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Former England spinner, Graeme Swann even showered heaps of praise on young Curran.
“I have been very proud of how Tom Curran has led the charge. He has done nothing more than being a good honest bowler and shown that Curran family self-belief. I believe it has inspired Stuart Broad as well who has looked a different bowler,” Swann remarked.