England pacer Reece Topley has been fined 15% of his match fee for smashing a chair in frustration after sustaining another injury during the first Twenty20 International against the West Indies. The left-arm quick injured his knee while bowling on Saturday, leading him to leave the field and miss the second match. As he ascended the steps of the pavilion at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Topley picked up a chair and slammed it against the staircase handrail, mirroring his outburst in Mumbai during the 2023 World Cup after a broken finger ended his tournament.
The incident is a further blow for a player who has been struggling to stay fit recently. An ongoing back issue and a rolled ankle prevent him from reaching the peak of his powers. It also underlines the importance of managing emotional frustrations during high-pressure cricket matches, where players can be prone to reacting poorly in the heat of the moment.
Having taken a wicket in the first innings and leaked 26 runs in his 2.4 overs, Topley was trying to continue with the rest of his spell after a brief rain delay when he realized he could not play on. He attempted to bowl one more delivery but walked off the field after and was replaced by Jamie Overton to finish the innings.
The ICC subsequently fined Topley for breaching Article 2.2 of its Code of Conduct, which refers to ‘abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match.’ In addition to the monetary penalty, a demerit point has been added to his record, which will be converted into suspension points should he accumulate four in two years.
It is the latest in a series of injuries that have plagued the England bowler and impacted his form this season, including a stress fracture to his back and a broken index finger. He was a regular member of the side that reached the final of the ODI series with the Windies, but a hamstring injury in the lead-up to the T20Is ruled him out. He has since struggled in his comeback, leaking 67 runs in two matches for an average of just 11.25.
Despite the injury woes, England have enjoyed a positive start to the tour and are currently leading the T20I series 2-0. However, with the injury-prone Topley now off the field for a significant period, his replacements are in the spotlight, and their performances in the next few matches will be closely monitored. Subscribe to Wisden for all the latest cricket news, features, and analysis.
