Curran Returns to England T20 Squad; Duckett Granted Rest Amid Form Dip

England have recalled all-rounder Sam Curran to their T20I squad to face South Africa and Ireland while all-format opener Ben Duckett has been handed a break. Curran's recall - for the first time to an England white-ball team under Brendon McCullum - comes following another series loss, in the ODIs, to South Africa.

The 27-year-old Curran, Player of the Tournament in England's last ICC white-ball triumph, fell out of favour with the national selectors but has earned his recall on merit. He racked up 365 runs and 21 wickets in 15 matches of the ongoing T20 Blast and before that, played a pivotal role in Oval Invincibles' title-winning campaign in The Hundred, contributing 238 runs and 12 wickets in nine matches.

It is hoped that Curran, who last featured for the national side on the tour of West Indies in November 2024, will bolster England's bowling attack especially after their use of part-timers Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks was targetted by South Africa in the ODIs.

Meanwhile, the selectors have also opted to give Duckett a break ahead of England's tours to New Zealand and Australia. The 30-year-old hit 462 runs in the drawn five-Test series against India but has since lost form, managing to cross 20 just once in his last 10 innings (8 in The Hundred and 2 in the ODIs against South Africa).

England have also withdrawn fast bowler Matthew Potts from the Ireland T20Is in order to allow him to play County Championship and press for selection to the Ashes squad. A spot might be up for grabs on the marquee winter tour following Jamie Overton's decision to give up red-ball cricket earlier this month.

England T20I squads:

vs South Africa: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood.

vs Ireland: Jacob Bethell (c), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood, Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker, Tom Hartley