England’s stuttering start to their 2023 World Cup campaign was dealt with another blow in the early stages of their contest against Afghanistan today (October 15) at Delhi after left-arm quick Reece Topley limped off the field with an apparently injury to his right knee.

Afghanistan raced off to a flier at the Arun Jaitley Stadium reaching 106-0 at the end of the 15th over. Reece Topley was by some distance the standout English seamer, having conceded 21 runs off his first five overs while Chris Woakes and Sam Curran were leaking runs at more than 10 an over.

England were then dealt with another blow after what was already a difficult start when Topley left the field after diving to stop a ball in the 16th over. Topley, who has previously endured a nightmare run with injury, immediately signalled to the England dressing room for assistance before limping off the field. Shaun Pollock on commentary remarked that he would be surprised if Topley returned to the field before the end of the Afghanistan innings.

Topley had until that point been England’s standout seamer at the tournament. Left out of the XI for England’s tournament opener against New Zealand, Topley was outstanding in the victory over Bangladesh, claiming three new-ball wickets before ending up with figures of 4-43. His importance to the side was reiterated in the early exchanges in Delhi, keeping one end tight while Woakes and Curran were expensive at the other end.

Pollock’s worst fears were not realised, however, with the tall left-arm returning to the field in the 19th over – a welcome sight for England just as they were regaining control of the match as Adil Rashid struck in consecutive overs before Rahmanullah Gurbaz was run out by substitute fielder David Willey for a 57-ball 80.

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