Sam Curran’s dream repeats itself in 2022 as England look to win the T20 World Cup for the second time in three events.

When England won the title in Australia four years ago, Curran was the player of the tournament, taking 13 wickets, including three in the final win over Pakistan.

The all-rounder was omitted from the white-ball squad when Brendon McCullum took over as head coach at the start of 2025, but was recalled in the summer after impressing for Surrey in county cricket, Oval Invincibles and other franchise leagues.

Curran scored 58 off 48 balls at No. 6 in England’s 3-0 T20I sweep in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, a result that boosted morale ahead of Sunday’s T20 World Cup opener against Nepal. It starts live on Sky Sports at 9.30am.

The 27-year-old also Scored a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in the first T20” Said: “Whenever the team needs me, no matter what position I am in, I hope that I can perform well throughout the World Cup and hope to be sitting here in a similar scenario to 2022.

“It’s great to be back playing for England and I’m confident about it. It’s a very exciting time for every player going to the World Cup.”

“I know my ball-carrying role is going to be very versatile and I’m really happy with that. I’m also excited to get some runs and win this series.”

Curran praises spinners after ‘amazing achievement’

Curran’s second T20 half-century came as England slumped to 60-6 and his effort extended the score to 128-9 before the tourists posted the lowest successful defense in T20 cricket as they smashed the Sri Lankans for 116 in 19.3 overs.

Part-time spinners Jacob Bethell (4-11) – who took three wickets in an over – and Will Jacks (3-14) tore Sri Lanka apart, with senior slow bowlers Liam Dawson (1-25) and Adil Rashid (1-25) also providing four overs.

Left-arm seamer Curran added: “Winning 3-0 away and getting the lowest score from our defence, that’s pretty cool to say the least.

“I thought our spin bowlers bowled really well throughout. We knew Adil was our main strike bowler along with Dawson (but) you also saw Jack West and Besser bowling really well.

“I loved it. I was standing on the boundary and the ball was turning hard and the required run-rate was picking up.

“There were a lot of missed chances and a lot of good bowling, so I think the spinners can take a lot of confidence from that.

“Defending 130 is an amazing achievement.”

England’s winning streak against Sri Lanka in T20 internationals has been extended to 11 matches and after the opening match against Nepal, England will also face the West Indies (February 11), Scotland (February 14) and debutants Italy (February 16) at the World Cup.

England at Sri Lanka – results and fixtures

All time UK and Ireland

English T20 World Cup Schedule (First Round)

All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports

• vs. Nepal (Sunday, February 8) – Mumbai (9.30am)
• vs. West Indies (Wednesday, February 11) – Mumbai (1.30pm)
• vs Scotland (Saturday 14 February) – Kolkata (9.30am)
• vs. Italy (Monday, February 16) – Kolkata (9.30am)