The Men’s 2023 ODI World Cup takes place in India and runs from October 5 until November 19
ICC World Cup 2023: England seamer Reece Topley was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a broken finger during the loss to South Africa on Saturday.
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ICC World Cup 2023: England seamer Reece Topley out for the rest of the World Cup
Topley was struck on the finger midway through the opening powerplay of the first innings at the Wankhede Stadium and left the field of play for immediate treatment.
The left-arm seamer returned with heavy strapping to bowl again for England at the death but struggled to hold the ball with his broken index finger and was part of a bowling attack that Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen dismantled.
Shortly later, the England Cricket Board confirmed the worst for the fans that Topley would be forced to return to the UK and ruled out the rest of the ongoing World Cup.
“scans in Mumbai on Saturday, after the match at the Wankhede Stadium, revealed the full extent of the injury. Topley will return to the UK in the next 24 hours.”
England are yet to have confirmed their choice of replacement, with an announcement set to come “in due course”.
But coach Matthew Mott has played down suggestions that Jofra Archer could be the bowler to come in, with the 28-year-old currently traveling with the England squad as he continues his injury rehabilitation.
“Jofra is not going to be considered for selection,” Mott told Sky Sports.
“He’s come out and reported to the medical staff, but he’s not going to be able to play a part in the end of this campaign.”
Who will replace Topley?
Fast bowlers Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and George Scrimshaw all featured for England in ODIs during the build-up to the tournament and are likely to be in contention for selection, while Rehan Ahmed could be in contention if England opt for a spin replacement, with Jason Roy and Ben Duckett the likeliest contenders should the England selectors instead decide to call up an extra batter.
Topley’s injury is the latest setback for a player beset by fitness misfortune.
The tall left-armer overcame the setback of four stress fractures in his back in five years, only to miss England’s successful T20 World Cup campaign last year after rupturing his ankle ligaments when tripping over a boundary sponge.
And this latest injury means that the 29-year-old will play no further part in England’s campaign in India, with Jos Buttler’s side needing a huge finish if they are to recover from three defeats in their opening four matches.
