Reece Topley has been ruled out of the rest of England’s 2023 World Cup campaign after breaking his left index finger in yesterday’s defeat to South Africa.
Topley was hit on the finger in question while attempting to field a straight shot off his own bowling from Rassie van der Dussen. After taking the blow, he received treatment on the pitch and attempted to resume his over. The next ball he bowled was overpitched and hammered for four by van der Dussen, prompting Topley to leave the pitch for additional treatment. Joe Root bowled the final ball of his seventh over of the match.
Topley returned to the pitch after a lengthy absence with a splint on his finger following the 30th over. He returned to bowl the 35th over and got rid of Aiden Markram, as well as David Miller, in his following over. However, as England’s 400-run chase fell apart, Topley did not step out to bat when the ninth wicket fell for 170, thereby terminating the game.
“It’s very much looking like it’s a crack,” England head coach Matthew Mott said of Topley’s injury in his post-match interview. Certainly, that’s the preliminary diagnosis, but we’ll find out for sure when we obtain Reece’s X-rays.”
Topley will now fly back to the UK to work closely with the Surrey and England medical teams on his rehabilitation, after tests confirmed the early diagnosis. With eight wickets in three innings, he is presently England’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
England is yet to designate a replacement for Topley in their roster, although Mott stated after the South Africa game that Jofra Archer was not available for selection, despite being with the group in India as a travelling reserve.
England’s next tournament encounter is against Sri Lanka on Thursday, October 26.
