Reece Topley suffers shoulder scare as IPL injury list grows

The England seamer appeared to damage the joint while fielding for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Mumbai Indians and was forced off the field in some discomfort

Nick Howson | 02/04/2023 at 16:25

Reece Topley's injury-ravaged career continues unabated after he suffered a suspected shoulder injury while fielding on his Indian Premier League debut.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore seamer dived to cut off the ball in the outfield during the eighth over of the Mumbai Indians innings but stayed on the floor and looked in significant discomfort.

Topley, who had earlier dismissed Cameron Green from the ninth delivery of his IPL career, was immediately attended to by teammates before he received treatment from medical staff and was led from the middle while holding his right arm.

It is the latest injury to beset RCB, who have already lost Rajat Patidar for the entire tournament and are currently without Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out for at least seven matches.

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Topley's senior career has been ravaged by injury (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

The incident follows Kane Williamson's knee injury, suffered during Gujarat Titans' opener against Chennai Super Kings, which has ruled the New Zealand batter out of the competition.

It is the latest in a long line of physical issues for Topley. The left-armer spent four years battling back problems, during which he underwent surgery and questioned his love for the game. Last year, he missed the men's T20 World Cup after suffering ankle ligament damage on the eve of the tournament in Australia during a fielding drill ahead of a warm-up match against Pakistan.

The outcome of further tests on Topley will be of interest to both Surrey, whose T20 Blast campaign begins on May 25, and England, for whom the 29-year-old has an incremental contract.

A regular feature of the white-ball squads, he was expected to play a role in England's 50-over World Cup title defence in October and November.