England’s left-arm pacer, Reece Topley, will miss the remaining matches in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies due to a knee injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday that Topley will return to the UK from St Lucia for further treatment and evaluation.
The 30-year-old bowler sustained the injury during the first T20I of the series in Barbados on November 9. While running up to bowl the fifth over, Topley suddenly pulled up, appearing to hurt his knee. Despite attempting to continue after a brief rain delay, he could only bowl one more delivery before leaving the field in clear discomfort. The injury forced him to miss the second and third matches of the series.
This injury casts doubt on Topley’s availability for England’s upcoming tour of India in early 2025 and the Champions Trophy later that year. The ECB expressed support for the bowler, with a statement saying, “We’re all with you, Toppers,” as they confirmed his early return from St Lucia.
In addition to his injury, Topley faced a disciplinary issue during the first T20I. He was fined 15% of his match fee for violating the ICC Code of Conduct. Topley, frustrated after a poor fielding performance, angrily grabbed a chair and struck it against a handrail while walking back to the pavilion. The ICC charged him with a Level 1 offense, resulting in the financial penalty and one demerit point.
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