Table of Contents
England’s left-arm fast bowler, Reece Topley, has been forced to exit the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 in India due to a fracture on his index finger. The unfortunate injury took place during a game against South Africa in Mumbai on Saturday, where Topley attempted to field a ball off his own bowling but ended up nursing a painful finger.
Topley’s brave attempt to continue despite injury
In a display of remarkable determination, Topley returned to the field later in the same innings, with his fingers securely taped, and managed to grab two more wickets for his team. However, subsequent scans have now disclosed the full extent of the injury, ultimately sidelining him from the tournament.
Jofra Archer excluded as a replacement
Meanwhile, England’s head coach, Matthew Mott, has ruled out the possibility of Jofra Archer stepping in as a replacement for Topley, as Archer himself is in the midst of injury rehabilitation and unavailable for selection. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that a new player will be named as Topley’s substitute at a later date.
Also READ: World Cup 2023 – Nasser Hussain gives his verdict on England after their crushing defeat to South Africa
A series of unfortunate injuries for Topley
This injury adds to the unfortunate series of setbacks in Topley’s career. Prior to ongoing World Cup, he faced a peculiar injury setback during a practice session for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. In an unusual incident, Topley tripped over an advertisement hoarding while attempting a catch near the boundary, resulting in a ligament injury.
Before that, he battled a series of stress fractures in his back, which eventually necessitated surgery. His recovery from these fractures was a long and arduous journey, during which he worked tirelessly to cement his place in England’s white-ball cricket setup.
Topley’s impact in the World Cup and England’s struggles
Despite missing a game before his exit, Topley was the leading wicket-taker for England in the ongoing multi-team event, having taken 8 wickets. Nevertheless, England’s campaign in the tournament has been challenging, with the team losing three out of their four matches and currently occupying the second-last position in the points table.
