Sam Curran Draws on Stokes' Past Heartbreak to Seal Tense Victory
Sam Curran revealed his mind drifted back to Ben Stokes' infamous 2016 T20 World Cup final meltdown before his last-over heroics rescued England from a humiliating defeat against Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday. Curran defended just 10 runs in the final six deliveries as England narrowly avoided a shocking loss to the tournament minnows.
Memories of Carlos Brathwaite's Assault Provide Motivation
Thinking about Stokes being thumped for four successive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite in that dramatic final over a decade ago, when West Indies snatched a famous victory, Curran held his nerve by nailing his lines and lengths perfectly. "I weirdly thought of the 2016 final when Carlos got a hold of Stokesy," Curran admitted at the presentation ceremony. "I was thinking 'if I execute, he's not going to hit me for six.'"
Nail-Biting Finish at Wankhede Stadium
Roared on by thousands of passionate Nepalese fans at a raucous Wankhede Stadium, Lokesh Bam needed a six off the final ball after being frustrated by Curran's precision bowling. Bam could only manage a single as England secured a tense four-run victory in their tournament opener. "Those games are great to win but wow, it would have been a horrible one to lose," Curran reflected on the dramatic conclusion.
Curran's Calculated Approach
The left-arm seamer revealed his deliberate strategy before the crucial final over. "I said to Brook 'I'm backing six yorkers here and I'll take the hit if I don't execute'," Curran explained. "I think you've got to think like that." His execution proved flawless, with Curran watching Bam's feet carefully at the top of his mark before delivering the decisive balls.
England's Mixed Bowling Performance
England's victory was built on a competitive total of 184 for seven, underpinned by fifties for Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell, plus Will Jacks' explosive cameo of 39 off just 18 balls. However, the bowling performance showed concerning vulnerabilities. The ultra-reliable Adil Rashid failed to take a wicket for the first time in 25 T20 matches and was uncharacteristically expensive with figures of 3-0-42-0, while Jofra Archer's final over disappeared for 22 runs.
Dawson Impresses in World Cup Debut
Liam Dawson, playing his first World Cup match, provided a bright spot with impressive figures of two for 21 from his four overs. The left-arm spinner's controlled performance helped contain Nepal's chase before Curran had the final say in the back-and-forth contest, leaving Bam on his haunches after making 39 not out off just 20 balls.
Team Perspective on the Tense Victory
Will Jacks, who also contributed with one for 17 from his two overs, emphasized the importance of the hard-fought win. "Winning ugly is a great trait," Jacks noted. "It's incredibly difficult to replicate that experience. Hopefully when we get in that situation in the rest of the tournament – which we definitely will at some stage – we'll be able to look back on this experience and take that with us."
McCullum's Communication Strategy
The match also showcased head coach Brendon McCullum's hands-on approach, with the former New Zealand captain relaying instructions onto the field during Nepal's chase using a walkie talkie. Jacks confirmed this practice started earlier in the winter, explaining: "It's so messages can get run out to the captain or to the guys who are batting in the middle. It's just an easier way of spreading the message."
Historical Context and Tournament Significance
England began their campaign 16 years ago with a shock loss to the Netherlands, but captain Brook and McCullum have avoided that ignominy this time around. The victory represents England's 11th win in their last 12 completed T20 matches, though the narrow margin against Nepal highlights the competitive nature of the tournament. "It just shows how competitive this World Cup's going to be," Curran observed, acknowledging the intense atmosphere created by Nepal's passionate supporters.
