Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Cricket

Curran, Pope and Sibley complete childhood dreams as they lead Englands new-look batting line-up in New Zealand

, Curran, Pope and Sibley complete childhood dreams as they lead Englands new-look batting line-up in New Zealand

ENGLANDS new-look batting order is stuffed with Surrey players who have been mates since their early teens.

When Sam Curran, Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley started playing together nearly ten years ago, they had big talent and big dreams.

Sam Curran is back in the team ahead of Chris Woakes
, Curran, Pope and Sibley complete childhood dreams as they lead Englands new-look batting line-up in New Zealand
Ollie Pope made his debut for the test side last year

Now, the trio will line-up against New Zealand here tomorrow evening wearing the Three Lions and hoping to be England regulars for the next decade.

And you can add Surrey captain and Test opener Rory Burns into the mix, because he has watched the others emerge through the ranks at The Oval.

Curran said: Its great to be involved with my good school mates. It will be fun if we all take to the park and hopefully we can nail down our places and become the future.

Its weird, really. I had a chat with Popey about this the other day. I joined the Surrey academy at 14 and played against him at Cranleigh School.

Sibbers was with me at the academy and went to Whitgift School. I played against them both all the way through the academy days until we got into the first-team at Surrey.

Burnsy is our captain at Surrey, so its special to be playing for England alongside such familiar faces.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

I think its easier to play with guys youve grown up with. International cricket is international cricket but when youre playing with your mates and things are going badly you can kind of laugh it off and stay positive.

Its a nice friendship and I know Popey and Sibbers parents are coming out to New Zealand, so it will be special to see so many familiar faces.

Curran has nudged out Chris Woakes for the No8 all-rounder berth because England believe his left-arm angle and ability to swing the ball will pose a greater threat to New Zealands batsmen.

Curran added: Its about nailing down my spot and not being the one who is vulnerable.

As an all-rounder, I look up to Ben Stokes and the way he contributes.

Curran will be playing his 12th Test and Burns his 13th, while Pope returns at No6 after two unsuccessful Tests against India in 2018.

, Curran, Pope and Sibley complete childhood dreams as they lead Englands new-look batting line-up in New Zealand
Sibley has been rewarded for his top County form

Sibley, who left Surrey two years ago and has since been piling on the runs for Warwickshire, is making his international debut.

Three of the last four men capped by England as opening batsmen Burns, Jason Roy and Sibley went to Whitgift School in Croydon, South London.

Roy and Surrey seamer Matthew Dunn were joint best men when Burns was married last month.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

While Roy was chosen in the hope he would bring his aggressive one-day intent to Test cricket, Sibley is more of a patient accumulator.

Burns explained: Jasons main grounding is white-ball cricket and I think he and Sibs are slightly different in style. Sibs is more traditional in terms of opening the batting.

His concentration and determination are really big strengths. He likes getting batting time, he can do it for days and hes willing to grind bowlers down and not necessarily race away at the start of an innings.

, Curran, Pope and Sibley complete childhood dreams as they lead Englands new-look batting line-up in New Zealand
Curran, far-left, and Pope, centre-left, came through the Surrey ranks together – pictured here with Ryan Patel and Amar Virdi

Hes prepared to wait and pick off bowlers.

Sibley opened with Burns in both his Surrey 2nd XI and 1st XI debuts and now they will be together for his England debut.

Burns recalled: Thats pretty cool. I can remember driving him to most of those early games and Im very proud of where hes reached particularly having left Surrey. Ive known him since he was 12 or 13.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Golf

Glam to Natural Paige Spiranac surprises her fans with a more natural appearance, ditching the glam for a new look that has everyone talking....

Premier League

Xabi Alonso Prefers to Stay at Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool is in search of a new manager following Jurgen Klopp's departure, but reports suggest that...

Premier League

Major Rule Change The Premier League has implemented a significant rule change regarding ball boys and girls after a recent incident involving Coventry manager...

Premier League

Green Light for Ambitious Project Birmingham City FC is on the verge of finalizing a £50 million deal to acquire an abandoned motor circuit...

Premier League

Dynamic Trio of Best Pals Erling Haaland is known for his pranks, and according to Sander Berge, the close friendship between Haaland, Martin Odegaard,...

Premier League

Nuno's Reaction Nuno Espirito Santo revealed his anger and frustration after being informed about Nottingham Forest's four-point deduction for breaking financial rules, which pushed...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement