Watch England cricket star Sam Curran audition for Euro 2020 call-up with brilliant football run out in T20 vs Sri Lanka
SAM CURRAN got into the spirit of the Euros when he hit the target with a right-footed shot.
Curran's silky strike snaffled a wicket of Sri Lankan opener Danushka Gunathilaka in the second Twenty20 international in Cardiff.
And the footwork would have had Gareth Southgate impressed.
Gunathilaka called partner Avishka Fernando for a quick single but Curran’s cultured side-foot crashed into middle stump with an explosion of zing bails.
Curran told Sky Sports: "In the football spirit, it's coming home, so I'm very happy."
In response to claims by Kumar Sangakkara that Curran failed to score a goal in three years of football warm-ups at Surrey, the England star replied: "Sanga's kept quiet but he's one of the worst. He's a great player but a shocking footballer!"
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Curran's silky skills certainly impressed Sky Sports commentator David Lloyd. 'Bumble' said: "Oh footwork. The Euros, get him in!"
Shot-shy England have scored just two goals in three games at Euro 2020 but face a huge challenge against rivals Germany on Tuesday at Wembley.
And Curran's confident touch in front of the posts would not go amiss on the pitch when England's tournament is on the line.
The run out was the start of an impressive performance in the field by England, who restricted Sri Lanka to just 111-7 in their 20 overs.
It was the lowest target England have ever chased in a T20 international against a team who batted through their overs.
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Sri Lanka did not manage a single boundary in their batting power play - the first time England have not given away either a four or a six in the opening six overs of a Twenty20 international.
But England certainly made harder work of their eight-wicket win 24 hours earlier, thanks to a big wobble with the bat.
Liam Livingstone and Sam Billings guided England towards victory with a partnership of 44 after Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan and Jason Roy all dismissed with just 36 runs on the board.
Billings and Livingstone are fringe players in England’s T20 team but this type of performance will enhance their hopes of selection for the World Cup in October.
Livingstone said: “Sam and I tried to run as hard as we could, knowing the odd boundary would come. The pitch wasn’t easy but the rain helped - it made the ball skid on.
“I’m new to this environment and the lads get to play their natural games. I’m a cricketer who likes to play with freedom - so it’s nice to come into the best team in the world. There’s so much talent emerging in county cricket which comes from watching this England team.”
On Curran’s footballing skills, Livingstone added: “That was so unlucky for the batsman. Sam is not the greatest with his feet - I’m surprised he got a foot on it let alone hit the stumps. It was one in a million!”
Bairstow, opening the batting and keeping wicket because Jos Buttler has a calf strain, was bowled for a duck and then Malan was lbw on review for four, his second low score in tow days.
Morgan was caught at point and England had endured their own miserable power play - by losing three wickets.
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Next, Roy attempted a big hit and watched in horror as the ball nestled in long-on’s hands.
But Billings and Livingstone calmed the situation until Billings was bowled by leg-spinner Hasaranga. Curran finished the job with a straight six.