HE'S PROVING SAMETHING SPECIAL!

Classy Curran a ray of sunshine as England opener is rained off

- BY DAVID CHARLESWORTH in Christchurch

SAM CURRAN proved his worth with the bat at the start of England's huge winter, leading Harry Brook to tip the all-rounder to keep hold of his recently-reclaimed T20 spot for a while.

While a hotly-anticipated Ashes series starting next month is already on everyone's lips, England first have to negotiate three T20s followed by three one-day internationals across the Tasman Sea against New Zealand.

A T20 World Cup early next year means this trip could be crucial for a number of players, not least Curran, who had not been selected in an XI under head coach Brendon McCullum until last month.