England could be dealt with a massive setback to their T20 World Cup campaign with left-arm seamer Reece Topley potentially getting sidelined. The 28-year-old is likely to miss their opening match against Afghanistan in Perth on Saturday and potentially the entire tournament.
The player sustained this injury during a fielding drill ahead of their warm-up game against Pakistan on Monday, when he rolled his ankle on a boundary marker while attempting a catch. According to the England and Wales Cricket Board statement, Topley will be monitored throughout the week.
Topley has played 16 T20 internationals this year, picking 17 wickets at an economy of 7.80. He has bowled exceptionally with the new ball and has done a good job in the death overs as well, becoming one of the key bowlers in the English set-up.
He has had to overcome several injuries in his career, that includes four stress fractures since his short stint with the national side in 2016.
The left-armer did not bowl in the warm-up match, which England won comfortably with eight bowling options used. Their bowling attack was shaping up well, with Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Topley likely comprising the first-choice pace attack.
In case the injury turns out to be a serious one and Topley gets sidelined, England have David Willey and Chris Jordan in their 15-member squad.
Tymal Mills, who was replaced by Topley during the previous T20 world cup in the UAE is also available, while Richard Gleeson was named in their traveling reserves.
Meanwhile, England would be delighted with Liam Livingstone’s return to action on Monday. The hard-hitting allrounder seemed to be fully recovered from the ankle injury he sustained during the Hundred as he smashed 28 off 16 and picked 1 for 8 in two overs.
