Reece Topley Cautious After World Cup Warm-Up Game Setback

England Cricket Team’s pacer, Reece Topley has been unlucky regarding warm-up games in ICC tournaments. Last year during the T20 World Cup warm-up games last year, he stumbled on a boundary Toblerone while playing against Pakistan, leading to a severe mishap. Reece Topley ruptured his ligaments in the left ankle and was ruled out of the tournament missing out on England’s victory in the tournament.

Fortunately, Reece Topley had a safe warm-up game against Bangladesh and was cautious on the field steering clear of any mishaps. England defeated Bangladesh and Reece Topley took a figure of 3/23 in his five overs. His yorker to Mahedi Hasan just after the rain break was fiery. Topley talked about playing safe in the first few games of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

“I’ve been steering clear of any mishaps and playing it quite safe – and I’ll continue to do so ahead of the first game,” Topley said before England flew to Ahmedabad on Tuesday afternoon. He also talked about the tough times when he got injured during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and how gutted he was after being ruled out of the T20 World Cup.

“I don’t want any repeat of what was so gutting last year. It was a tough period to go through. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, because these are the moments and the events that you dream of being a part of..” said Topley about missing out on the T20 World Cup victory.

Reece Topley now has his hopes high and he feels he can play his part to make up for the time he was injured. He was looking in good touch against Bangladesh in the warm-up game and wishes to retain the World Cup trophy for England.

“Hopefully, I can play my part this year and make up for a lost time, if anything, and make a contribution to England going all the way again. I’m looking forward to getting some game time, just as I was anticipating last year, and this time, hopefully, I can help the team retain the trophy.”

Reece Topley Is One Of The Six Frontline Pacers In England’s Squad

Reece Topley is in the selection mix ahead of England’s clash against New Zealand in the World Cup opener. Topley’s case for inclusion in the squad is backed up by his performance against left-handed batters. New Zealand are likely to have four left-handers in their XI for the game since Kane Williamson will not be available for the opening game.

Reece Topley averages 22.07 against left-handed batters and will come in handy against the likes of Devon Conway, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Mark Chapman, and Mitchell Santner. Talking about his spot in the playing XI, Topley said that he is still a bit undercooked but he believes that it is not the worst thing.

“Everyone is fighting for a spot in that final XI, But whatever XI they end up picking, the whole squad is right behind each other. It is going to take a squad effort to be successful out here, and the side that goes out in each match will continue to live up to the exciting way we play our cricket.”

“If anything I would say that I’m pretty undercooked. But, going into a long tournament, I don’t necessarily think that is the worst thing. I feel like I’m just about to come into my stride, hopefully,” Topley said.

Reece Topley feels he is in the perfect place right now, and he can contribute towards England’s success in the World Cup. “It’s not about tearing in at the warm-up game and impressing the right people; it is about delivering in the nine group games. That last group game [against Pakistan on November 11] is still pretty far away so I feel like I’m where I should be, but there is still some work to be done for sure.”

England Will face New Zealand on 5th October, in Ahmedabad, and they will look to start the tournament auspiciously but New Zealand is not a team to be taken lightly. If all we know, they have reached the finals back to back and they lost against England under the boundary-count rule.