Sam Curran’s England Test Comeback Delayed by Groin Surgery

Following the completion of the Hundred, Sam Curran underwent surgery on a groin injury, ruling him out of the England Test squad for the current series against Pakistan. The surgery excludes him from the third Test, which is set for September 9, 2026.

Curran had already missed the first two Tests of the Pakistan series. He had earlier been ruled out of the IPL 2026 because to a groin ailment, and he was eased back into competitive cricket as a specialist batter during the T20 Blast while the injury was being treated medically. The choice to continue with surgery has now been made, thereby ending the rehabilitative process.

England’s Pakistan Test series began on August 19, 2026, and Curran was considered for the third match before the operation was confirmed.

Why was Sam Curran considered for the third test?

Marcus North, an England selector, had talked openly about Curran’s importance to the Test setup in light of Ben Stokes’ withdrawal from the format. Stokes had provided England with a unique all-round balance that the selectors hoped to recreate, and North acknowledged that the backroom staff and medical team had been closely monitoring Curran’s fitness with the third Test in mind.

Curran is a regular in England’s white-ball squads, and the selectors saw the third Test as a good opportunity for him to return to the longer format. The surgery effectively closed the window for this series.

What do England’s all-round options look like without Sam Curran?

Sam Curran absence leaves England without a key candidate for Stokes’ job moving into the final Test of the Pakistan series. The selectors had planned around his likely availability, and that work now needs to be focused elsewhere.

Will Jacks, a Surrey player, has also been sidelined for County Championship cricket after having his appendix removed. According to reports, Jacks could return for England’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which would finish the men’s international home season, though his availability has yet to be verified.

England’s all-round options are thus uncertain as the third Test against Pakistan approaches, with both Sam Curran and Jacks sidelined by separate medical procedures at the same time this summer.