England all-rounder Sam Curran believes that the Test squad will be fired up by the "buzz" of a historic World Cup 2019 triumph, as they are now gearing up to try and regain the Ashes 2019 this summer after an incredible show at the mega ICC event at home.
The 12th edition of the World Cup 2019 finished with Sunday's dramatic title clash with New Zealand and Curran said the dramatic scenes at Lord's had set England up perfectly for the five-Test showdown against Australia, which will get underway on August 1 at Edgbaston.
However, the all-rounder believes that the Ashes remains the pinnacle of the English cricketing calendar but the World Cup will inspire one and all irrespective of whether they featured or not in the showpiece event as they are eyeing to regain the urn against the arch-rivals Australia at home.
As per reports in ESPN Cricinfo, Curran said: “I don't think I'm alone in saying that it's probably the greatest cricket match ever, and for that to be the World Cup final was incredible. That will provide a buzz for everyone across English cricket going into the Ashes, which is the biggest series an England player can be involved in Tests, and this match against Ireland.”
The young gun continued, “Days like Sunday get everyone, whether they were involved or not, more excited and desperate to do well so I'm sure it will rub off as we head into the Test part of the summer. I watched the final with the Lions boys in Canterbury and the excitement was amazing. It was an incredible win and the boys have so worked hard. Having spoken to my brother and a few of the others I think they celebrated pretty hard as well.”
Meanwhile, the all-rounder was thrilled to get the opportunity to impress in the Red-ball cricket before England announce Ashes squad after earning a place in the 13-man squad for one-off Test against Ireland.
He also warmed up for the five-match high-voltage Test series with the Lions this week, taking six for 95 in the first innings and scoring two half-centuries against an Australia XI.
The all-rounder could bat as high as No.6 against Ireland, and is raring to head into the Test part of the English summer. He added, “It's obviously really exciting to be in the squad for the first Test of the summer. It's the first four-day Test for England and the first against Ireland which makes it a massive event for them and an awesome thing to be part of.”
Curran signed off, “It's a slightly different England side to be in with a few of the big guns rested after the World Cup, but it's a really exciting group and we are looking forward to linking up this weekend.”
(With ESPN Cricinfo Inputs)
