ENG vs IND: Reece Topley Is Saying 'You Cannot Leave Me Out' - Nasser Hussain

Tall left-arm quick Reece Topley made an impact in the second ODI against India at Lord’s on the third anniversary of England winning the 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup at the home of cricket.

In order to defend 246 runs, Topley used seam movement, varying bounce, and a variety of slower balls to record 6-24, the best ODI bowling stats ever by an Englishman, as India was bowled out for 146 runs in 38.5 overs, giving the hosts a 100-run victory.

Topley’s career-best heroics allowed England to tie the three-match series at 1-1 and prepare for Sunday’s winner-takes-all contest in Manchester.

Reece Topley Is A Very Smart Bowler: Nasser Hussain

After a challenging period during which he had four stress fractures to his back in five years, Topley, according to former England captain Nasser Hussain, “validated” his significance and the value he offers to England in white-ball cricket.

David Willey, a fellow left-arm bowler who produced a meagre performance of 1-27 from nine overs with two maidens and the significant scalp of Virat Kohli, provided excellent support for Topley. Hussain believed that India’s inability to achieve much after falling down by a score of 31-4 in 11.2 overs was due to the dissimilar bowling styles of Willey and Topley.

“It’s an outstanding story, the way he’s gone through the ups and downs, the stress fractures. He’s bowled well in white-ball cricket of late and as well in that T20 game at Trent Bridge when everyone else was going around the park.

 “It’s his place now and when you get figures like that, with so many big games coming up and England are looking for bowlers with a long list of injuries…if some bowler can stand up and continue to put in performance after performance then you’re almost saying ‘you can’t leave me out,” said Hussain on Sky Sports after the match.  

Topley would hope that he can replicate the same form in the series decider on Sunday. 

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Virat Kohli Needs To Find A Way – Wasim Jaffer On Avoiding Balls Outside Off Stump