Reece Topley: Unsafe boundary markers exist purely for money

Topley was ruled out of the T20 World Cup shortly before the start of the tournament after tripping over one of the toblerone-shaped markers during a fielding practice

Boundary toblerones exist "purely for money" and are "not there to enhance the playing experience or broaden the game in any way", says Reece Topley, who was ruled out of the T20 World Cup after tripping on one of the markers during fielding practice ahead of the tournament.

The left-arm seamer looked certain to be a key part of England's plans for the competition but was unfortunate to rupture ankle ligaments and tear the surrounding muscles after his studs got stuck in the coating around the sponge marker.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he described them as "unsafe" and criticised their continued usage around the world.

Last month, shortly after the extent of his injuries became known, Ben Stokes spoke out similarly, calling them "stupid" and calling for a review into their size in the interests of "player safety".

The markers, which are used instead of the more traditional boundary rope to accommodate lucrative advertising logos, are 20 centimetres high (and 20 centimetres wide at their base) at the T20 World Cup. A traditional boundary rope is four centimetres high.

^{The boundary markers are 20 centimetres high (Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images)}

At the time, Jos Buttler told the BBC that he saw the incident as "a freak accident".

"I don't think it is a big issue," he said. "People used to play in the past with no boundary rope and used to run into a fence. You have got to be careful."

Topley, who expects to avoid needing surgery on the injury, disagrees. "People have said it's a freak accident and all I can do is point out the ankle-high boundary advertising right next to where a player stands throughout a game," he added.

"It's happened before and it will probably happen again. People think they are fun and engaging but there's something there that doesn't facilitate anything. It can hinder you by being in your mind."

He isn't the only player to have gone over on the triangular-prismed markers. The UAE's Aayan Afzal Khan also tripped over the boundary marker as he left the pitch after batting against Netherlands. On that occasion, no damage was done.

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