Sam Curran becomes only second player in Test history to be out for his age on his birthday... while England's win means Pakistan still haven't won a series in this country since 1996

  • Sam Curran is only the second player to be dismissed for his age on his birthday
  • England’s win means Pakistan still haven’t won a series in this country since 1996
  • Dawid Malan has broke into England's 50-over side with Ben Stokes ruled out

Curran's birthday feat 

When Sam Curran, who turned 20 on Saturday was dismissed for 20 early on the third day, he is believed to have become only the second player in Test history to be out for his age on his birthday. The other was England’s Geoff Pullar, who was out for 26 on his 26th birthday against Australia at Old Trafford in 1961.

Sam Curran becomes only second player to be dismissed for his age on his birthday

Sam Curran becomes only second player to be dismissed for his age on his birthday

 

England’s win here means Pakistan still haven’t won a series in this country since 1996. But this was their third draw out of five in that time, including a thrilling 2-2 in 2016. 

 

England came close to breaking one of Test cricket’s more bizarre records: the highest total before anyone has reached 50. That remains New Zealand’s 335 for six against England at Edgbaston in 1965. Yesterday, England reached 332 for eight before Buttler got to 50.

 

Had Jimmy Anderson hung on a fraction longer, Jos Buttler would have had the chance to compile his highest Test score, which remains the 85 he made in his first innings, against India at Southampton’s Rose Bowl in 2014. Instead, Buttler had to settle for an unbeaten 80, which left him with a healthier-looking Test average of 35. 

Jos Buttler would have had the chance to beat his Test best if Jimmy Anderson held on longer 

Jos Buttler would have had the chance to beat his Test best if Jimmy Anderson held on longer 

 

Dawid Malan has been granted his wish of breaking into England’s 50-over side, after the ECB confirmed that Ben Stokes would miss Sunday’s one-day game in Scotland and the early part of the five-match series against Australia because of his torn hamstring.

 
Advertisement

Sam Curran becomes only second player in Test history to be out for his age on his birthday