Sam Curran admitted his “relief” at returning to form to help England set up a ODI series decider against the West Indies - and insisted he has the skills to thrive in all three formats.
Curran was dropped three games into England’s doomed World Cup campaign and then posted the country’s most expensive ODI figures when conceding 98 runs without a wicket in the series-opening defeat on Sunday.
The Surrey seamer was potent with the new ball in Wednesday's rematch in Antigua, however, taking three wickets as the home side were reduced to 23 for four and never fully recovered, England going on to chase a target of 203 with 17.1 overs to spare.
“Any time you bowl in certain scenarios, you know you’re going to have a tough day, but I think if you dwell on those things too much, I feel like it would have probably affected me here,” Curran said.
“The big messaging from this group was you’ve got to learn from those situations and I feel like I’m a strong character in that regard. I don’t feel like that’s going to affect me at all.
“Hopefully, I just bounce back stronger and learn from those tough days. There’s a bit of relief. It was a tough day the other day, but it was fantastic to get the win here.”
Curran was the player of the tournament in England’s T20 World Cup win last year and will likely be vital to their defence of that title next summer.
However, the 25-year-old is yet to fully convince in 50-over cricket and played the most recent of his 24 Tests more than two years ago, leading some to pigeonhole him as a short-format specialist.
“I definitely feel like I can play all three formats,” he added. “People can have their opinions, but I’m a player who likes to back myself in all those tough moments.”
Curran was not alone in producing a timely return to form, with captain Jos Buttler making his first half-century in 15 ODI innings to steer England home alongside Harry Brook, after Will Jacks had once again impressed in striking 73 in 72 balls.
“It’s been something where I’ve been searching a little bit so to be not out and get the team over the line is pleasing,” Buttler said.
“I have had moments where it has been frustrating. I was getting fed up with it so it was time to put in a performance and get back to the player that I know I am.”
The three-match series will be settled in Barbados on Saturday.
