Yet another freak ankle injury has hampered England's preparations for the t20 World Cup in Australia. With the opening game against Afghanistan just days away, kicking off on the 22nd October in Perth, Reece Topley has become the latest injury casualty. The tall fast bowler joins Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone in picking up an unfortunate ankle injury. Unlike Livingstone, who is set to take his place in the opening game XI, Topley's fate has gone the way of Bairstow.
Tymal Mills replaces Reece Topley in England t20 World Cup squad
Mills, who played a part in England's journey to the semi-finals of the 2021 t20 World Cup in the UAE, is a like-for-like replacement for Topley. Both left-arm quicks, Mills has more raw pace which is in contrast to Topley's tall frame and angles. Both have a knack for the slower ball and are capable of bowling through the phases. Those similarities, coupled with Mills' experience for England and in t20 leagues, are likely what swung his selection over that of Richard Gleeson.
Topley is said to have rolled his ankle on a boundary cushion during a training session. Along with Livingstone tripping on a kerb and Bairstow dislocating his ankle and breaking his leg playing golf, Topley is now the latest to suffer such misfortune.
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| Reece Topley will not play any part of the t20 World Cup in Australia after injuring his ankle during training [CREDIT - Alex Davidson/Getty Images] |
England selection headaches for the t20 World Cup eased?
It may seem that now that now Topley, a seemingly nailed-on starter, is out of the tournament that the England selection headaches may well ease. The task of potentially looking to get both Livingstone and Harry Brook in the same side alongside Ben Stokes, while also maintaining balance, was set to be a tricky one.
That may well prove to be the case, with Sam Curran's impressive performances with the ball providing a different route when it comes to playing all the batsmen, instead of Curran as a fifth bowler. However, despite Mills not being in the original squad, he does provide very similar qualities to Topley, who of course was set to be a key part of the attack. Could Mills' selection be like-for-like in more ways than one and he instead comes straight into the team as a direct replacement?
While Mills has great experience and was effective for England in the previous edition of the t20 World Cup, it would be a big ask for him to come straight in and hit the ground running. He has had issues with a toe injury and has not played since August and has not been a part of any of the 11 t20 games that England have played in the last month.
Instead this is likely to open the door for one of Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan or David Willey. Each offer different options through the innings, though it would seem that Woakes may be given the nod judging on the Pakistan and Australia series. Again, though, conditions and matchups could easily dictate the final decision.
For the opening game against Afghanistan, it is likely that England will go with four main bowling options in Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Curran and one of Woakes, Jordan or Willey. That quartet will be assisted by Stokes, Livingstone and Moeen Ali.
Final predicted XI: Buttler (C), Hales, Malan, Stokes, Brook, Livingstone, Ali, S Curran, Woakes, Wood, Rashid
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