England have named their team for the opening T20I of the three-match series against South Africa at Sophia Gardens on Wednesday. In November 2024, Sam Curran last played for the T20 team against the West Indies. This will be his debut outing under Brendon McCullum.
After scoring 238 runs and taking 12 wickets for victors Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, the 27-year-old was called up late. England lost the ODI series against South Africa 2-1 without a seam-bowling all-rounder.
Spinners Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks retained their T20I XI positions as fifth bowlers. Though England showed versatility in the ODIs, Bethell will bat at No. 3 and Curran at No. 5.
The pace attack will be led by Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer, with Adil Rashid (leg-spin) and Liam Dawson (left-arm spin) handling spin. After paternity leave, opener Phil Salt returns to the West Indies series.
