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Cricket World Player of the Week - Tom Curran

©Reuters

An England recall might still be some time away for Tom Curran but the player has certainly presented the national side with another all-round option.

Tom Curran has had his issues with fitness over a long time. In March this year, the Surrey seamer returned early from the Pakistan Super League with a stress fracture of the lumbar spine.

Curran senior has had trouble with back injuries in the past as well, and returned to competitive cricket this summer solely as a batter for Surrey in the Vitality Blast, with his back injury still restricting his bowling. An average of 17.61 doesn't look very inspiring but Curran added 229 runs at a strike-rate of 143.12, underlining his increasing utility as an all-rounder

When the chips were down for Oval Invincibles in the Men's Hundred Final against Manchester Originals, with the team tottering at 34/5 after 36 balls, he joined hands with Kiwi all-rounder Jimmy Nessham for an invaluable 127-run partnership off 65 balls, which not only pulled the side out of trouble but also took them to more than a respectable total.

Curran remained unbeaten on 67 off 34 balls (his highest score of the competition) and along with Jimmy Neesham, 57 off 33 balls, was part of the biggest stand in the history of the men's competition.

Curran finishes Invincibles' campaign with 175 runs at a strike rate of 175, and a trophy to boot. Tom Curran also contributed well (Eco: 1.25 RPB) with the ball in the Final and drew first blood by dismissing the dangerous Phil Salt as he walked away with the Player of the Match award in the prestigious Final.