Curran

Most eyes are, understandably, on the Ashes rather than this series.

It should not be forgotten, however, that this was the first of only six T20s England have before the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka begins in February.

While Bethell, who flickered in striking a fine straight six before falling to a top edge for 15, can press their case to play against Australia, Curran is one of those with the most to gain before the World Cup.

The 27-year-old was picked for the first time in any format under coach Brendon McCullum last month and offers a second seam-bowling option in the batting-heavy side Brook’s England favour.

Having seen Bethell, Buttler, who made 29, Jordan Cox and Tom Banton tamely chip catches into the air on a surface that nipped for the quick bowlers and held for the spinners, Curran was fortunate to be dropped on 14 by bowler Jacob Duffy and at deep extra cover by Tim Robinson when he had 26. Both were straightforward chances.

While at no point did Curran find his best batting rhythm, he remained calm to power the impressive left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner for one six over long-off and flicked a full toss over square leg in a final over from which he took seamer Duffy for 19.

This match will not last long in the memory, but Curran at least took advantage of what limited opportunity he was given.

England were flat in the first two ODIs – particularly the opening thrashing at Headingley, when they were bowled out for 131 – but responded with a record win in the third at Southampton.

Batters Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith have been rested for this series while a new-look side will be led by Bethell against Ireland at the end of the month, providing players such as Curran with another chance to impress McCullum.

“I sat down with him recently and asked him to bang down the door, to force his way into the top six and with his bowling ability,” McCullum told Sky Sports after the ODI series.

“He is a very attractive resource and it was just a matter of putting in performances to get himself back to where he needed to be.

“He was honest. He said he was determined to have a long international career and fair play to him, he has banged it down.”

Duckett and Smith were among those to play all five Tests against India before going straight to The Hundred and then the ODIs.

England have a white-ball series in New Zealand before the Ashes in November, and face another tight turnaround with the T20 World Cup taking place in India and Sri Lanka in February – although the schedule is yet to be released.

“I can only speak for myself but I obviously don’t play Test cricket so I can just focus on the white-ball side of things, I can go to New Zealand and then have a rest so I’m fresh for that World Cup,” spinner Rashid told BBC Sport about the packed schedule.

“It’s probably going to be a bit of a challenge for the guys [playing all formats] but that’s the schedule.

“Everyone will be up for it, no huffing and puffing or no complaining because we all know that’s part and parcel of cricket. We’ll all be raring to go mentally and physically.”

The first T20 starts at 18:30 BST on Wednesday, with the second match at Old Trafford on Friday and the finale at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

Spectacular fifties from Jordan Cox and Sam Curran fired Oval Invincibles to a thrilling six-wicket victory over Trent Rockets in a table-topping clash in The Hundred.

Cox hammered an unbeaten 58 from 32 balls and Curran struck 54 from 24, as the Invincibles hit a remarkable 103 runs from 28 deliveries to drive to victory with 11 balls to spare.

Opener Joe Root struck a season-best 76 as Rockets reached 171-7 and the visitors looked well-placed in their reply when they had their opponents 70-2 after 60 balls.

However, Cox and Curran launched a superb turnaround from that point, adding 51 from the next 10 legitimate deliveries.

The pair smashed six sixes and a four between them as they took 19 off David Willey and 32 from Sam Cook, who bowled the most expensive five-ball set in men’s Hundred history.

Curran reached his fifty from 22 balls, but fell before the close, caught on the ropes off Rehan Ahmed.

Cox pushed on, reaching his own half-century from 30 deliveries, guiding his side home alongside Donovan Ferreira and Sam Billings.

The win near guarantees Invincibles a play-off spot and offers further evidence as to why the two-time defending champions remain the team to beat in the men’s competition.

Sam Curran stars as he takes three wickets and completes a run-out to wrap up a dominant victory for Oval Invincibles against Southern Brave to move the two-time defending champions four-points clear of The Hundred table.

MATCH REPORT: Curran shines as Invincibles thump Brave

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Watch highlights as debutant Rashid Khan and team-mate Sam Curran both take three wickets in a dominant win for the Oval Invincibles over the London Spirit in their opener of The Men’s Hundred at Lord’s.

MATCH REPORT: Men’s Hundred: Oval Invincibles v London Spirit

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