GEORGE DOBELL IN PERTH: After taking 5 for 10 in victory over Afghanistan, the England left-armer set his attention firmly on the hosts, pre-tournament favourites and defending champions, who are already under immense pressure
Sam Curran is looking forward to a "pretty epic game against Australia" at the MCG on Friday (October 28).
England's victory over Afghanistan and New Zealand's thrashing of Australia has created the possibility that defeat in Melbourne could send the hosts tumbling out of their own tournament.
While a few results would have to fall in place for that scenario to come about - not least England overcoming a resurgent Ireland on Wednesday (October 26) - there is no doubt that England would relish taking the defending champions out of contention.
"There's no hiding from the fact that Friday is going to be a pretty epic game against Australia at the MCG," Curran said with a big smile. "I'm sure it will be an incredible experience for all of us and hopefully we can go into that game having won against Ireland on Wednesday.
"We've seen the way Ireland played in the first round. They're obviously a very dangerous team with some match-winners. It's a tricky game for us.
"But if do win [both games], it will be great for us and I guess might put Aussie in a tricky position."
Curran ran through Afghanistan in Perth (Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Curran was named player of the match after claiming 5 for 10 against Afghanistan; a spell which included four wickets with his final six deliveries. As well as being the first five-for by an England man in T20I cricket, it represented an excellent maiden World Cup performance for him.
It was especially pleasing for Curran as he seemed to thrive in fulfilling the death bowling role which England so desperately required.
"Any time you're taking on those tough situations, that's when you want to be involved," he said. "There will be some days where it doesn't come off which I'm very, very aware of but hopefully I can keep taking confidence from that performance.
"I'm always trying to improve and get better. I feel having had a consistent run in the side has really given me confidence. It's a great bowling group to be a part of; we're all very different and just really enjoying the atmosphere in the group.
"I'm just trying to be as adaptable as possible in giving the bowling group loads of different options."
There was plenty of skill on display in Curran's performance. As well as delivering his yorkers under pressure, he also demonstrated some well-disguised variations and a yard of pace - he was timed at over 85 mph at times - which has not always been a feature of his game. Afterwards, he reasoned that his attempts to gain strength after suffering a stress fracture of the back may have helped him find the extra speed.
Liam Livingstone's catch to dismiss Hazratullah Zazai set the tone (TREVOR COLLENS/AFP via Getty Images)
"Maybe over the break when I had my injury I just got a little bit stronger," he said. "After the break, I came back refreshed, eager, ready and with a lot of energy.
"It's my first World Cup game and the energy when I woke up, knowing that I was going to be playing in a World Cup, gives you that extra bit of buzz having missed the last one.
"It's my first time playing on these Australian decks as well so I'm really enjoying the bounce and the pace and you can use the dimensions of the ground as well. I'm really enjoying it."
Curran also paid tribute to the efforts of the England fielders. All 10 Afghanistan wickets fell to catches with several of them - not least the first of the match, taken by Liam Livingstone to dismiss Hazratullah Zazai, especially impressive.
"When Livi took that catch it almost set the standard," Curran said. "It said, we're here to really scrap for everyone in the field. We do a lot of hard work on our fielding and that's gonna be a massive factor in the tournament."
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