ODI World Cup 2023: Reece Topley gives England injury scare after full-length dive against Afghanistan

England fans will have their hearts in their mouth as one of the premier pace bowlers Reece Topley was seen limping off the field after suffering a blow to his knee while fielding in the ongoing 13th match of the 2023 ODI World Cup in Delhi.

England started their World Cup campaign with a crushing nine-wicket loss to New Zealand. In their second game against Bangladesh, tall left-arm pacer Topley was brought into the playing XI in place of Moeen Ali and the move worked wonders. Topley scalped four wickets in the tie that the defending champions won by 137 runs.

In the match against Afghanistan, which is currently being played in Delhi, England bowlers were put to the sword by Rahmanullah Gurbaz but Topley wasn't as easy to hit away. However, his physical condition has now become a concern as he hurt his knee while diving to stop a boundary in the 16th over. After getting up, Topley held his right knee and immediately signaled for the physio to come and have a look. Soon, he was seen limping off the ground with the physio walking beside him.

Topley returns to the field after three overs

England fans breathed a sigh of relief as the 29-year-old returned to the field in the 19th over. Incidentally, Afghanistan lost three quick wickets in the time Topley was outside the field. Ibrahim Zadran was the first to be dismissed as he was caught by Joe Root off Adil Rashid.

Rahmat Shah was beaten by a beautifully flighted delivery from Rashid and Jos Buttler made the mistake in effecting the stumping. However, the huge wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell in the 19th over as a Hashmatullah Shahidi misjudged a single and the wicketkeeper batter had to pay the price as he was run out for an excellent 57-ball 80. Rashid has been superb and Afghanistan will do well to see out his spell. However, the turn he is getting would excite the likes of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.