The game England did not want has resulted in the event they feared the most: another freak injury to a key player and his elimination from the T20 World Cup. Reece Topley’s trip over the advertising cushions at the Gabba in Brisbane during fielding practice before Monday’s warm-up against Pakistan has resulted in two ruptured ligaments in his left ankle, and he will fly home for surgery and the start of his recovery before England’s tournament has even begun.
Jonny Bairstow shattered his left leg in three places and dislocated his ankle after slipping during a round of golf a month before Topley’s accident. Before England can confirm Topley’s departure from the competition, the International Cricket Council must authorize the seamer’s replacement with one of the traveling reserves.
Tymal Mills and Richard Gleeson are the two fast bowlers in England’s three-man group, and it appears Mills will now join the entire team. Ironically, Mills was a member of England’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad, but he was forced to withdraw after sustaining a thigh injury during the Super-12s match against Sri Lanka. Topley replaced him.
During England’s breakthrough year in the format, Topley has emerged as a vital performer, and he is their leading wicket-taker in T20s this year. His injury means that the extremely positive build-up to the World Cup, which included series victories in Pakistan and against Australia before the warm-up triumph over Pakistan, has ended in disappointment.
Liam Livingstone, making his return from an ankle injury of his own, slipped when turning for a second run on Monday, and remained on the ground for a few seconds before getting gently to his feet. This incident would have raised anxiety within England’s coaching team. Not only did he continue to play, but he later stated that this incident was a morale booster.
“It was great to fall because it gives you confidence,” he remarked. “Given that I had a 12-week injury and we’re only at the end of week seven, I’m fairly pleased with where I’m at, and we still have a few more games until our first game.
I didn’t want to go all-out; I just wanted to return to cricket and complete my bowling. Turning and other things were going to be challenging, so slipping on it and feeling fine is a confidence booster.”
Livingstone’s ankle has been wrapped in bandages for every flight, as England’s tour of Australia began on the west coast, moved to Canberra and then Brisbane in the east, and then returned to Perth on the west coast inside the first two weeks. “Flying has not been easy,” he stated.
“I must always compress it before flying. It’s simply been a minor annoyance, and I’ve done everything I can to be fit and accessible on Saturday. Monday I played at 90%, which is what we’re aiming for.”
Livingstone struck a massive six that landed on the roof of the Gabba before rolling out of the stadium despite not providing his maximum. “Harry Brook was making fun of me, stating that this was a stadium I had not cleared, and I responded that if there was ever a chance to do it, it was on that wicket,” Livingstone said. Therefore, it was a pleasure to bat with Brooky at the time. It’s wonderful to receive a few from the center to get things going. I still have work to do at the plate, but I’m close to where I want to be.”
