Reece Topley is set to make a comeback to competitive cricket after a series of injuries that prevented him from participating in the T20 World Cup in Australia last year and the IPL. The 29-year-old left-arm pacer is expected to feature in a 50-over match for Surrey against Suffolk, followed by a full stint with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred tournament.
Topley had high hopes of playing a significant role with the new ball for England in the T20 World Cup in Australia but suffered an unfortunate injury while warming up ahead of a practice match against Pakistan. He had to fly home from the tournament for ankle surgery. Later, during his IPL debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore, he dislocated his right shoulder after bowling just two overs.
“I knew I was going home,” Topley stated, recalling the incident at the Chinnaswamy in early April. “When I was sat in Bangalore with my humerus bone in front of my pec, I was just like, ‘wow, how quickly can I get home to have surgery?’ It wasn’t like I was going to hang around or whatever. It was just, like, let’s just get out of here.”
However, his remarkable physical attributes, including his 6’7″ frame capable of generating pace, swing, and bounce, have caught the attention of England selectors. With the focus now shifting to the white-ball series against Ireland and New Zealand, followed by the defense of the 50-over World Cup in India, Topley’s recovery will be closely monitored by the selectors.
“The Hundred is almost like end-stage rehab, I guess,” Topley stated at the launch of the KP Snacks community cricket pitches initiative in Tottenham. “Obviously I’ll look to put in some good performances, and I’ll want to do well for Superchargers because we’ve got a great squad that wants to go all the way.”
Topley’s career has been plagued by injuries, including four stress fractures between 2016 and 2020. However, his recent performances have made him highly sought after in the cricketing world. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined and has been focused on rehab and getting back to full fitness.
Assuming he proves his fitness, Topley will be returning to India for his second World Cup campaign, having been a part of the squad that reached the final of the World T20 in 2016, where England narrowly missed out on the title to the West Indies.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
