Topley set to miss England’s opener
INJURY-HIT Reece Topley is set to miss England’s opening World Cup match against Afghanistan on Saturday after damaging an ankle.
Topley, 28, rolled his left ankle on a foam advertising wedge on the boundary during catching drills in the warm-up for England’s final practice game against Pakistan at the Gabba on Monday and did not feature in the match.
England said the two-metre tall left-arm seamer “will be assessed throughout this week” but it could bring in a replacement if his ankle was unlikely to heal in time for him to take part in most of the tournament.
Tymal Mills, who has not played since August, and Richard Gleeson are on standby. It is an unwanted headache for England as it travels to Perth to take on Afghanistan, with Topley becoming an increasingly dependable figure in the limited-overs sides since the turn of the year.
He has taken 17 wickets in 16 T20s in 2022, with an impressive economy rate of 7.8, given that he bowls in the powerplay and at the death.
Sam Curran and David Willey are the other left-armers in England’s 15-man squad so it is unlikely to risk Topley, who has overcome multiple stress fractures in his back during his career.
Curran is expected to be in England’s XI against Afghanistan, irrespective of whether Topley features, and thinks the team is coming to the boil at the right time.
England recorded a 4-3 series win in Pakistan and then thrashed the same opponents by six wickets in a low-key practice match on Monday, having also beaten the World Cup hosts and defending champion Australia 2-0.
“We’re ready now,” Curran said. “We’re feeling like we’re almost not peaking but we’re playing good cricket.”