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BIRMINGHAM (Reuters): It was billed to be a contest between England’s most prolific wicket-taker James Anderson and India’s top batsman Virat Kohli.
But in the end, an unlikely 20-year-old playing in only his second Test match stole the limelight from his more established peers and dragged his team to victory over the world’s top-ranked Test nation in the first match of a five-game series.
Sam Curran grabbed four top Indian wickets in the first innings and gave his team a precious 13-run lead despite a century by Indian skipper Kohli.
Then in the second innings, with England on the ropes at 87 for 7, he strung together two valuable partnerships that saw England put up an overall target of 194 runs for the hosts to win.
Playing with confidence, the left-arm swing bowler, who plays for county Surrey, first combined with Adil Rashid for 48 runs, which was the biggest of the English innings, and then 41 with fast bowler Stuart Broad for the ninth wicket.
Following England’s victory, Curran was given the man of the match award.
“I can’t take it all at the moment,” Curran told a post-match news conference. “It feels like I’m dreaming. I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight because I didn’t get any last night.”
Curran made his Test and one-day international debut for England earlier this year, and his swing bowling, especially against the Indian top order, impressed his peers.
“Sam Curran has a great amount of skill. Very exciting and promising cricketer,” skipper Joe Root said.
Reuters: England have called up uncapped batsman Ollie Pope to replace out-of-form David Malan, while paceman Chris Woakes comes in for all-rounder Ben Stokes for the second Test against India, which begins on Thursday at Lord’s.
Malan scored 28 runs across both innings for England as the hosts secured a thrilling 31-run victory against India. The 30-year-old also dropped a chance to dismiss Virat Kohli in the first innings and the visitors’ skipper went on to score 149.
“Ollie Pope has made an exceptional start to his first-class career,” national selector Ed Smith said. “He has reached a 1000 first-class runs in just 15 matches and is the first division’s stand-out batsman this season with 684 runs at 85.
“The selection panel believe that Ollie’s performances and character suggest he is well-suited to international cricket.”
Pope, 20, has impressed by reaching the 1000-run mark in just 15 first-class matches for domestic side Surrey. He also scored an unbeaten 50 in England Lions’ victory over India A last month.
Woakes is to be brought in to replace Stokes, who faces a court hearing in Bristol this week.
“Ben Stokes is unavailable, but Chris Woakes, with some extra matches and practices under his belt, can now return to the England squad after injury,” Smith added.
Full squad: Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, and Chris Woakes.
ESPNCricinfo: Ishant Sharma has earned a demerit point and a fine of 15% of his match fee for his send-off to Dawid Malan in England’s second innings at Edgbaston.
The Level 1 offence violated Article 2.1.7 of ICC’s code of conduct, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an international match”.
As he ran away in celebration after getting Malan caught at gully, Ishant was seen turning towards the departing batsman and yelling out.
After the day’s play, Ishant admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Jeff Crowe and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Marais Erasmus and fourth umpire Tim Robinson.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
