ENG vs IND Live: Why is Sam Curran Not Playing 4th Test?

Seam-bowling all-rounder Sam Curran has found himself out of England playing XI for the 4th Test at the Oval.

Curtain had struggled to make an impact in the first three Tests of the ongoing Pataudi Trophy with both bat and ball and his place was always going to come in jeopardy once the likes of Chris Woakes came back after injury.

And that is exactly what has happened. Chris Woakes, who missed out on the first three Tests and for that matter, the entire Test summer thus far, has regained full fitness and he has been slotted in the playing XI at the expense of Sam Curran.

Here’s what Joe Root said:

”Chris Woakes comes in for Sam Curran. Chris (Woakes) knows his body well and we all know about his performances,”

Apart from Sam Curran, England make one more change to their playing XI

Meanwhile, England captain Joe Root once again won the toss and with the conditions being overcast, he had no hesitation in opting to insert Indian batsmen in.

While seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes has replaced Sam Curran, Ollie Pope has been inserted in the playing XI in place of Jos Buttler, who is unavailable due to paternity leave.

Speaking of Sam Curran, the left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder had a nightmare outing in the first three Tests. He managed just three wickets in five innings at an average of 79.33 and an economy rate of 3.22. Curran’s batting was abysmal as well. He managed just 74 runs in 5 innings at an average of 18.5 which also includes a couple of ‘King pairs’ in the Lord’s Test.