PERTH, Australia (AP) — Sam Curran picked up the first five-wicket haul by an Englishman in 20 caps to help England beat Afghanistan in the T20 Cricket World Cup on Saturday.
Curran was playing in his 30th T20 international. He returned a career best 5-10 of his in 3.4 overs with his fast medium pace with his left arm to defeat Afghanistan with 112 runs. England won the game at the Super 12 stage by five wickets with 11 balls to spare in Perth.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” Curran, 24, said of his accomplishment after being named man of the match. He said it was a “fantastic win for us and a great way to start.”
Curran praised England’s swing and couture quartet.
Until Curran came on to pitch his first delivery in the eighth, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood kept the Afghanistan innings in check.
“It’s a great bowling group to be a part of,” Curran said. “I really enjoy the atmosphere in the group.”
Curran’s five-wicket haul came on the back of his recent 3-25 win against Australia in Canberra in a World Cup warm-up game.
“The most important thing is that we got the win (Saturday),” Curran said. “I’m just trying to be as adaptable as possible and give the bowling group a different option… We’ll keep working hard for the rest of the tournament.”
England’s next games are against Ireland on Wednesday and defending champions Australia on Friday.
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