LONDON: Emerging star Sam Curran believes England’s historic World Cup triumph will inspire the Ashes team as attention turns towards their attempt to regain the urn.

Sunday’s dramatic end to the 50-over tournament has overshadowed the build-up to the five-Test showdown against Australia, which gets under way on Aug 1 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Curran feels the Ashes remains the pinnacle of the cricketing calendar but said the Test team would be galvanised by the World Cup, irrespective of whether they featured or not in the one-day triumph.

“I don’t think I’m alone in saying that it’s probably the greatest cricket match ever and for that to be the World Cup final was incredible,” said the 21-year-old all-rounder. “That will provide a buzz for everyone across English cricket going into the Ashes.

“Days like [last] Sunday get everyone, whether they were involved or not, more excited and desperate to do well so I’m sure it will rub off as we head into the Test part of the summer.”

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2019