Reece Topley is a doubt for England’s T20 World Cup opener against Afghanistan after rolling his ankle during fielding practice.
The injury occurred ahead of Monday’s final warm-up game against Pakistan at The Gabba, which England won by six wickets. Topley will be assessed in the run up to Saturday’s Super 12 stage meeting in Perth.
The Surrey seamer has enjoyed a breakthrough year in England’s white-ball sides, his performances during the English summer one of the bright points in an otherwise difficult transition period following the retirement of Eoin Morgan.
The 28-year-old recorded the best ODI bowling figures by an Englishman with his 6-24 against India at Lord’s in July and pulled out of the latter half of the Hundred in order to rest ahead of the T20 tour of Pakistan and the World Cup.
England are at least well stocked in the seam department at present. Mark Wood has returned from injury in fine form and is a certain starter, while Chris Woakes has done likewise having missed the international summer through injury.
Woakes, Topley, the in-form Sam Curran and experienced head Chris Jordan may well be competing for just two places in the XI, should England shift the balance of their side following Liam Livingstone’s successful return from his own ankle problems during yesterday’s meeting with Pakistan.
David Willey, who took two wickets in two balls in that game, is also an option.
