Tom Curran hopes BBL performance will press claims for World Cup selection

"I'm sure he (Jofra Archer) would be welcomed. It's a great bunch of boys. I can't see why he wouldn't be welcomed" - Curran © Getty

Tom Curran, the England all rounder, was hopeful that his fine show in the BBL 2018-19 would press his claims for a spot in the national squad for the upcoming World Cup to be held at home.

The 23-year-old snared 20 scalps in the BBL 2018-19 and also made useful contributions with the bat, capsulised by his strike rate of 144.53. Due to his fine performances, Curran also received a three-year contract with the franchise before he left for the Caribbean to play in the ODI series for England.

With the likes of David Willey, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer fighting for a couple of spots in the ODI squad, Curran has an uphill task on his hands if he has to find a place in the set-up for the mega-event.

"It helps to play in those big franchise tournaments," Curran said ahead of the first ODI against the Windies. "It's the biggest stage apart from international cricket, so to go there and do well gives me confidence. Hopefully from that I can put in some good performances here and get in that World Cup squad.

"I try not to think about selection. In the back of your mind you want to get into the squads and you want to be playing but I don't get too caught up in it. It's out of my control so I'll be focusing on what I can do."

Curran also noted that England would "welcome" the new pace sensation Archer, if the selectors pick him for future assignments. Archer has made a name for himself albeit in the shortest format of the game, evidenced by his 105 scalps at an average of just over 22. With the England and Wales Cricket Board tweaking its eligibility rules, the Sussex pacer will be available to play for England by March this year.

"I'm sure he would be welcomed. It's a great bunch of boys. I can't see why he wouldn't be welcomed. He's a good player, but it's not my job to select the side. T20 skills are transferable. They are pretty similar."

In his short career, Curran has also showcased his worth in the slog overs. He picked up a five-wicket haul in the ODI against Australia in Perth last year. He also bowled the crucial final over in the T20I game versus New Zealand in Hamilton.

"I enjoy bowling at the death and, if I can keep improving on that, it's a big string to my bow. I think it was my death bowling that gave me the opportunity to make my T20 debut for England.

"You want to perform at the hardest moments; the crunch moments in the game. The yorker is the hardest ball to hit and one of the hardest to bowl. I've been trying to work on that constantly, keep nailing it and always trying to improve. It's going pretty well."

England will take on the Windies in the first ODI of the five-match series in Barbados on February 20.