Reece Topley has suffered yet another injury setback. The left-arm seamer has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup due to a broken finger he picked up in the early stages of South Africa’s innings at Mumbai on Sunday, October 22.
In his fourth over, he attempted to stop a Rassie van der Dussen straight drive off his own bowling. The ball flicked the top of his left index finger in a painful blow that forced Topley off the field soon after.
He then bravely came back later in the Proteas’ innings against the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen hitting the accelerator to propel South Africa to a mammoth 399/5.
Broken finger rules Reece Topley out of the World Cup
England Cricket confirmed the news on Sunday evening, tweeting “News we didn’t want to bring you. Reece Topley has been ruled out of the rest of #CWC23. We’re all with you, Toppers.”
Topley’s reaction when walking off the Wankhede outfield indicated he suffered a serious injury. He pushed over a chair and kicked out at a box behind the boundary boards.
Indeed, his reaction is understandable. The latest setback marks another injury episode for Topley, who has had rotten luck over the past seven years. In 2016, Topley suffered a stress facture in his back that kept him out of action for four years. Just before last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, he was ruled out of the tournament after twisting his ankle on a boundary marker before a warm-up match. Earlier this year, he suffered a dislocated shoulder in his first match the 2023 Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
“I thought Reece Topley going back out to bowl with a broken finger showed great spirit,” said England coach Matthew Mott following England’s defeat. Now, England have to find a replacement, and it won’t be Jofra Archer confirmed Mott. According to ESPNCricinfo, Archer will leave India to continue his rehabilitation from another elbow injury. “Jof is actually not going to be considered for selection,” Mott said. “He’s come out, he’s reported to the medical staff, but he’s not going to be able to play a part in the end of this campaign.”
