Curran ‘surprised’ by Sri Lankan tactics
Sam Curran said he was ‘a little surprised’ by Sri Lanka’s tactics during his innings of 64 on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Curran’s destructive knock, which featured six sixes, saw him enjoy a substantial partnership of 60 with last man James Anderson as England posted 285 in their first innings.
The Surrey all-rounder was able to take much of the strike thanks in part to the field placings of Sri Lanka captain Suranga Lakmal.
The difference of +5 between the number of sixes (6) and the number of fours (1) Sam Curran hit in his innings today is the joint-largest in Test history.
Tim Southee’s 77* off 40 balls on Test debut (4 fours, 9 sixes) is the other joint-record holder.#SLvENG #SRIvENG pic.twitter.com/5EpjvXG0of
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 14, 2018
“I gave myself a chance to take a few balls up top. They weren’t bringing in the field,” said the 20-year old.
Curran’s innings followed an equally important performance from Jos Buttler, whose tactics against Sri Lanka’s spin threat proved more than effective in a counter-punching 63 from just 67 deliveries.
“Jos came in and played the way we know he can do: sweeping, reverse sweeping, running down,” said Curran.
“They looked like they started to panic a little bit almost. It got to the stage after lunch he was almost reverse-sweeping or or sweeping every ball, with the field all over the place.”
After England battled their way into a dominant position at the end of day one, @Ben_Wisden and @Yas_Wisden talk about Sam Curran’s brilliance, England’s tactics, THAT Jack Leach ball and the nature of the wicket in Pallekele.#SRIvENG #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/0G3b8iezQu
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 14, 2018
Curran also praised his other batting partners, with Adil Rashid contributing 31 alongside Anderson’s patient rearguard.
“Rash [Adil Rashid] played beautifully before tea and I tried to take over where he left off.
“But me and Jimmy had quite a bit of fun out there. He was probably the one telling me to calm down and trust him. It was real good fun out there.”
