Topley ready for Lions challenge

By Paul Hiscock

Reece Topley, Essex's fast-emerging young pace bowler, is heading to Australia for the third time in the past twelve months and aiming, this time, for success with the England Lions.

Topley, joined in the Lions squad by his county colleague Ben Foakes, the wicketkeeper-batsman, is raring to go ahead of a five-week trip which, after three warm-up games against Victoria, features a series of five one-day matches against Australia A.

The 18-year-old Topley was a member of England'’s Under-19 World Cup squad in Australia last year, having also travelled Down Under for a warm-up trip ahead of that tournament, and said: "I can'’t wait to get back there and get started.

"It's also great that Ben is on the tour. “I'’m sure Ben and I are the youngest in the squad and we'’re pretty close because we'’ve spent a lot of time together over the years as our careers have developed. So it will be good to have him out there and, in fact, we are rooming together."

Topley has been practising hard over the past few months in preparation for the Lions tour. "“I'’ve been working indoors at Loughborough during the winter with Neil Killeen, Kevin Shine and the Essex bowling coach Chris Silverwood," he added.

"“I'’ve not been looking to learn anything new, but all the work has been concentrating on getting me ready for Australia and it was a great advantage having Chris there because obviously he really knows my game."

Topley left school in 2011 to pursue a cricket career, in preference to continuing his academic studies, and it is a decision he has never regretted. "“To be honest, I haven'’t given it a second thought since the day I left and I don'’t think I'’ve even read anything after finishing school because cricket has become my life," he said.”

Selection for the Lions has also moved the 6ft ’7in” tall bowler one step nearer to a place in the full England side and it’'s a promotion Topley has taken in his stride. “"It'’s very encouraging to see players progress from the Lions into the full England squad. Joe Root is the latest example and it does show how close you are to playing in the full England side.

"“It gives you great encouragement and reassurance that if you perform your chance will come. Obviously I'’m really delighted to have been selected for the Lions at this stage of my career but it'’s also nice to see my hard work has been noticed and I'’ve been given the opportunity.

"““I'’m still very young and learning all the time. I want to play and perform well in all formats and I don'’t want to be regarded as a specialist white ball or red ball bowler. “Hopefully I can take this latest chance that I'’ve been given and move onwards and upwards in my career.”"

 

Date: 31/01/2013 00:38:06 by Paul Hiscock
In: Today | Essex | England |