World Cup 2023: Reece Topley ruled out of remainder of England's campaign with finger injury

Defending champions England were dealt another blow a day after their disastrous 229-run loss at the hands of South Africa, with left-arm pacer Reece Topley getting ruled out of the remainder of the ICC World Cup.

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Topley’s injury and his subsequent exit from the remainder of Jos Buttler and Co’s campaign was confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in a release on Sunday.

“England and Surrey seamer Reece Topley has been ruled out of the rest of the ICC Men’s World Cup after fracturing his left index finger during England’s defeat to South Africa on Saturday.

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“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,” read the official statement from the ECB.

Topley suffered a broken left index finger during England’s humiliating 229-run defeat against South Africa in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The left-arm pacer had suffered the injury while trying to intercept a powerful shot from Rassie van der Dussen while bowling his fourth over, which he could not complete and required part-time off-spinner Joe Root to bowl out the remaining delivery.

The ECB added that a replacement would be announced soon enough.

“He will work closely with the England and Surrey medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation. A replacement will be announced in due course,” the release added.

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News we didn't want to bring you ☹

Reece Topley has been ruled out of the rest of the #CWC23

We're all with you, Toppers ❤️

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 22, 2023

According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, tearaway quick Jofra Archer isn’t likely to be considered as Topley’s replacement despite travelling to India with the rest of the World Cup squad.

Topley, who got England off to a superb start after they opted to field by getting rid of Quinton de Kock for just 4, would return to the field soon after and finish with three wickets for 88 runs, dismissing stand-in skipper Aiden Markram and David Miller.

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Not only did the defending world champions concede their highest total in ODIs, with the Proteas riding on Heinrich Klaasen’s whirlwind 109 to post 399/7 on the board, they could only muster 170 in response to suffer their biggest defeat in the format.

Topley would not walk out to bat due to the injury, with England’s innings coming to an end after Gus Atkinson became their ninth wicket to fall after getting  cleaned up by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.