England Bolster T20 Squad with Sam Curran Recall, Rest Ben Duckett After Form Dip

England Bolster T20 Squad with Sam Curran Recall, Rest Ben Duckett After Form Dip

England have responded to recent concerns over team balance and individual form by recalling seam-bowling allrounder Sam Curran for their upcoming T20I series against South Africa and Ireland, while opting to rest struggling batter Ben Duckett.

Curran, who last played for England in 2024 and has yet to feature under head coach Brendon McCullum, returns to the national setup in outstanding domestic form. Across 24 matches in this summer's T20 Blast and The Hundred, he has amassed 603 runs at a strike rate of 154.21 and taken 33 wickets, making a compelling case for selection.

His inclusion comes in the wake of England's humbling defeat to South Africa in the second ODI at Lord's, where the team's overreliance on part-time spinners Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks was exposed. The pair conceded a combined 112 runs in 10 overs, prompting a reassessment of England’s bowling options. Curran offers valuable balance as a seam-bowling allrounder and is expected to play a key role in all six of the upcoming T20Is.

Meanwhile, Ben Duckett, who has become a regular across all formats for England over the past year, will be given an additional week's rest following a significant slump in form. Despite a successful Test series against India earlier this summer, where he scored 462 runs in nine innings, Duckett has struggled in white-ball cricket, failing to pass 20 in his last 10 innings. His poor showing in the recent ODIs – including a scratchy 14 off 33 balls – has led selectors to opt for a short break ahead of England’s winter tours to New Zealand and Australia.

With Duckett out, Phil Salt and Jamie Smith are expected to open the batting against South Africa. One of Tom Banton or Will Jacks is likely to step in for Smith during the Ireland series.

In another squad adjustment, fast bowler Matthew Potts has been withdrawn from the Ireland series to play in the County Championship for Durham, strengthening his case for a return to the Test setup. Potts, who has fallen out of favour recently, is eyeing a potential Ashes berth following Jamie Overton’s surprise decision to retire from red-ball cricket. England view domestic red-ball action as more beneficial for Potts than limited opportunities in the Ireland T20Is.

Jordan Cox, Curran’s teammate at Oval Invincibles, has been added to the Ireland squad but will not feature against South Africa. Duckett remains with the ODI squad for the final match of the series in Southampton.

Updated England T20I Squads

vs South Africa

  • Harry Brook (capt)

  • 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

  • Jordan Cox

  • Sonny Baker

  • Tom Hartley

  • Jacob Bethell (capt)

  • Will Jacks

  • Phil Salt

  • Tom Banton

  • Liam Dawson

  • Sam Curran

  • Luke Wood

  • Adil Rashid

  • Saqib Mahmood

  • Jamie Overton

  • Rehan Ahmed