Sam Curran keen to make his case stronger ahead of ODI World Cup

Sam Curran has hailed England's fast bowling depth and hopes to give the management some decisions to make ahead of the World Cup later this year. While One-Day Internationals (ODI) are not Curran's strongest suit, having scalped 24 wickets at 37.29, he showed prowess with both bat and ball in the second game against Bangladesh, where he slammed n unbeaten 19-ball 33 and opened the bowling, picking up 4 for 29 - his second-best ODI bowling figures.

Curran's best bowling figures of 5 for 48 against Sri Lanka in 2021 too came when he opened the bowling. However, with many other quicks like Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes, and Mark Wood in the fray, it is going to be tough for Curran to have a crack with the new ball.

You throw in the likes of Saqib Mahmood, Reece Topley, Olly Stone, David Willey, Brydon Carse, Matty Potts, and Luke Wood in the picture, England do possess a massive depth in the fast bowling department.

"It is a quality squad at the moment," Curran said. 

"There are a lot of guys who have been on the Test tour who will come back in. Any time you play in a team for England you want to put in a performance but it shows we've got a great squad with Jof, Woakes, and Woody being back now as well.

"Everyone has had a tough year with injuries and everyone is pleased to see the quality of the bowlers we have around. You saw how great the Test team were bowling as well.

"It is an exciting time and hopefully we can give the captain and coach some good decisions to make but right now I'm sure the bowlers just want to keep performing and be in that 15 for the World Cup. Conditions will dictate if there is the extra pace or extra spin so it is about enjoying it and not putting on too much pressure."

After the series against Bangladesh, England's next ODI assignment will be in September when they take on New Zealand, followed by Ireland. Curran says opening the bowling, a position he has thrived in has advantages and disadvantages.

"It is a nice time to bowl as a seam bowler because you get swing and movement but it is tricky as well because you have to be on the money and start really well because the white ball doesn't swing for that long," Curran said. 

"In these conditions, your cutters, your slower balls and cross-seam deliveries may become useful as well. It is about adjusting and seeing what is in front of you.

"I don't think too much to be honest. It is about chatting to the guys in the dressing room, guys who are out and what the surface is doing.

"I like to react to what is in front of me. I'm not a massive planner. If my cutters are working I'll stick to them but today the ball swung so you play it as you see."

Curran will turn up in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) where he was brought for a record INR 18.50 crore. With not much 50-over cricket between the end of the Bangladesh series and September this year, Curran will look to hone his skills further in India - the venue for the 2023 World Cup - in the cash-ruch league.

"We don't have much 50-over cricket during the summer so to play in these similar conditions as a group is cool," Curran said. 

"It is a great series win as well, to win in Bangladesh is awesome. They hadn't lost for a long time [since 2016-17] and we're really proud of that."

England, who have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, will play the third and final game in Chattogram on Monday (March 6), before the action shifts to the T20 Internationals (T20I) from Thursday (March 9).