I've got unfinished business at World Cups – Reece Topley

Reece Topley was in intimidating touch against Bangladesh in England’s second World Cup 2023 clash, running through the opposition batting unit with some stellar deliveries. It was Topley’s blistering figures of 4/43 that blew away Bangladesh in a lop-sided encounter, with three of his wickets coming in the opening spell that saw him wreaking havoc with the new ball.

Topley, who represents RCB in the IPL, wasn’t a part of the England XI that faced off against New Zealand in their tournament opener, and he was slotted into the team at the expense of all-rounder Moeen Ali for the match against Bangladesh. 

Talking to Sky Sports at the end of the game, Topley highlighted the plan that was in place for England and how he wanted to make a statement after being dropped for the tournament opener. 

Topley said, “[The New Zealand game] Didn't go quite as planned. So it's nice to play with a similar blueprint, but prove that it is the right way to go about things. It's a squad effort at the end of the day. Obviously everyone wants to play so, when you are left out, it's really about how you respond. You want to come in and make an impact, and to get those early wickets certainly settled some nerves for me."

He further shed some light on the anatomy of the English dressing room, adding, “Over the years, you've seen there is an implosion to be had with this side, but if you're going about it in the right way, and the way that you want to play, you can live and die by the sword. When you've got talented players in the changing-room - especially in tournament cricket - when it comes to those crunch games, it's a dangerous thing to come up against a side that plays in that manner.”

Talking about the importance of this World Cup, Topley said, “I definitely feel that I've got unfinished business at World Cups. It's nice to be at one fully fit, but I'm sort of undercooked, so hopefully I'll peak at the right time. I haven't played a lot of cricket this summer, I've been wrapped up in cotton wool, so thanks everyone that I've made it here."

He further added, “Knock-out cricket is more mental than it is [about] the talent on the pitch. If you're on the front foot before the opposition, I think you go in with an advantage straightaway. It's proved successful in the past, and long may it continue."