I've always looked up to Ben Stokes: Sam Curran

England all-rounder Sam Curran has revealed that he has always idolised fellow all-rounder Ben Stokes as a cricketer. 

Stokes, at the age of 31 decided to retire from the 50-over format due to the unsustainable cricketing schedule. Post his retirement, England have been searching for someone who can fill the void left by the charismatic all-rounder.

Curran has been tipped to fill the big boots of Stokes in the ODI side. Speaking about Stokes' influence on his career, the Surrey cricketer said that he has always tried to copy him and termed his absence as a "huge loss" for the team.

Curran idolizes Stokes 

"I've always looked up to Stokesy (Ben Stokes) as a cricketer. I almost want to try to copy him. He's obviously a huge loss and the boys are going to miss him, but any time I'm playing I don't want to look too far ahead. Just want to contribute when I’m batting and bowling," said Sam Curran.

The seam-bowling all-rounder was adjudged as the man of the match for his brilliant all-round performance against South Africa in the second ODI. Curran played an explosive knock with the bat, scoring 35 runs off 18 balls with a strike rate of almost 200 to take his team to a respectable total. He also bagged the big wicket of David Miller in the two overs that he bowled.

Stokes leaves a significant void

Curran credited Stokes for his development as a player. He also shared the message he has received from England's the white-ball skipper Jos Buttler.

"I've always tried to follow the way he trains and the way he plays. Obviously, he's retired from one-day cricket now but he'll go down as one of the greats for England. But always I try to be positive. That's the message Jos (Buttler) has said to me and the team. It's pretty obvious that Stokesy is going to be a massive miss." 

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