I almost want to try to copy him – Sam Curran wants to follow footsteps of Ben Stokes in England’s ODI team

England rising star Sam Curran wants to follow footsteps of Ben Stokes after the all-rounder recently retired from the ODI format. Curran has the shown the skills to go a long way in his career. The youngster has grabbed his opportunities in the recent past.

Curran has big shoes to fill and he would look to deliver his best for Three Lions. The young player has played only 15 ODIs for England in which he has scored 194 runs at an average of 27.71 and has also taken 16 wickets. Curran has the skills to add the finishing while batting in the lower middle-order and has the skills to swing the ball both ways in the PowerPlay overs.

On the other hand, Ben Stokes recently decided to hang his boots after he admitted that playing all three formats is just unsustainable for him.

The 24-year-old said, as quoted by The Cricketer: “I’ve always looked up to Stokesy as a cricketer. I almost want to try to copy him. He’s obviously a huge loss and the boys are going to miss him, but any time I’m playing I don’t want to look too far ahead. Just want to contribute when I’m batting and bowling.

“I wouldn’t say it has changed much for me personally, just every time I get the opportunity I want to make sure I’m contributing.”

Curran revealed that he tries to follow the way Stokes trained and the way he plays. Stokes is well known to give his 120% on the field and is one of the most competitive players in the game.

“I’ve always tried to follow the way he trains and the way he plays. Obviously, he’s retired from one-day cricket now but he’ll go down as one of the greats for England. But always I try to be positive. That’s the message Jos has said to me and the team. It’s pretty obvious that Stokesy is going to be a massive miss.

“The experience of an all-rounder who has played over 100 games for England, a leader, captain of the Test team now. The experience he brings, chatting about what the wicket is doing, how things will work, angles at the crease, small things like that.”

England is currently taking on South Africa in three-match ODI series. The series is tied at 1-1 and decider will be played on Sunday.