LONDON: Sam Curran believes England's historic World Cup triumph will inspire the Ashes team as attention turns towards their attempt to regain the urn. Sunday's dramatic end to the 50-over tournament has overshadowed the build-up to the five-Test showdown against Australia, which gets under way on August 1 at Edgbaston.
Curran feels the Ashes remains the pinnacle of the cricketing calendar but said the Test team would be galvanized by the World Cup, irrespective of whether they featured or not in the one-day triumph. "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," said the 21-year-old all-rounder. "That will provide a buzz for everyone across English cricket going into the Ashes. "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. "The Ashes are the biggest thing you can play in as an England cricketer, that's what I've always felt. Hopefully we can be lifting the urn at the Oval in September."
Curran, whose older brother Tom was an unused squad member during the World Cup, has been drafted into England's groups for the one-off Test against Ireland next week and a pre-Ashes training camp. The left-armer was England Lions' standout performer against an Australian XI earlier this week, taking six for 95 and contributing a pair of half-centuries in a drawn first-class match at Canterbury. Curran enjoyed a breakthrough summer last year, being named England player of the Test series against India after star contributions with both bat and ball, leading to a bumper pay day in the Indian Premier League.
Bayliss to coach Sunrisers
England's World Cup-winning coach Trevor Bayliss will take charge of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League next year, the team announced yesterday. The 56-year-old Australian will take over a team captained by Kane Williamson, who led the New Zealand team beaten by Bayliss's England in the thrilling World Cup final last Sunday.
Bayliss, who will stand down from his England job after the Ashes series against Australia in August, will succeed compatriot Tom Moody in the cash-rich Twenty20 league. "After very careful consideration, the Sunrisers franchise has decided to take a new direction with the head coaching role and will be parting ways with the services of Tom Moody," the team said in a statement. Bayliss won two IPL trophies with the Kolkata Knight Riders and has also won the Big Bash and Champions League in Australia with the Sydney Sixers in 2010-11.
"He is a proven winner and we feel that his successful track record will be ideal in taking Sunrisers Hyderabad forward," Hyderabad added. Bayliss is understood to have had offers from Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. Bayliss took over as England coach in 2015. They won the Ashes 3-2 that year, reached the World T20 final in 2016 and became the top-ranked one-day international side. Before that he coached Sri Lanka to the World Cup final in 2011. The Sunrisers last won the IPL in 2016 under Moody. As well as Williamson, the team also boast the talents of England World Cup star Jonny Bairstow. - AFP