Sam Curran’s Test comeback has been postponed after he was ruled out for the remainder of the English summer due to a groin injury.
Curran, who first played Test cricket at age 19 in 2018 and amassed 24 Tests ending in 2021, was long marginalised from Test duty because of a strong white‑ball pedigree; now he battles his way back into Harry Brook’s limited‑overs setup.
Following the departure of England cap‑setter Ben Stokes, England’s selectors hoped to reinstate Curran in the red‑ball side. Marcus North noted that Curran was heavily considered for the inaugural Test versus Pakistan, yet the intense tournament load this season – highlighted by leading MI London in The Hundred – meant authorities deemed it “unfair” to suit an left‑arm seamer in consecutive Tests at Headingley and Lords. Consequently, Curran was omitted from the first‑Test panel and penciled only for England’s decider at Edgbaston, opening on 9 September.
As part of Curran’s taper toward that fixture, he returned to Surrey in the County Championship, kicking off Thursday against defending Division One champions Nottinghamshire. Beyond losing his place there, Will Jacks will likewise miss action after undergoing a successful appendectomy.
Jacks featured as a backup for the Pakistan series, ultimately being passed over by Dan Lawrence who occupies the spin package of the side, which balances Stokes’ absence.
The ECB commentated that England will “monitor his recovery and assess availability ahead of the Sri Lanka (white‑ball) series” later in September, implying Will Jacks will not be fit for that competition. The upcoming Sri Lanka circuit comprises three T20Is followed by three ODI matches starting on 15 September.
