T20 World Cup: England's Reece Topley out of tournament due to ankle injury

Dat es: October 16-November 13 Location: Australia Coverage: Ball-by-Ball Test Match Special Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, website and app BBC Sports; live text commentary with clips on the BBC Sport website and app which will likely keep him out until early 2023.

Leftist Tymal Mills has been called in as Topley's replacement.

The loss of Topley is a serious blow to England's World Cup hopes, considering the 28-year-old is in fine form this year.

He was injured when he stepped on the boundary sponge during a field exercise at practice Monday.

This is a bitter disappointment for Topley, who has overcome serious setbacks in recent years.< /p>

He has had four back fractures in five years, especially recently in 2018, this which led him to consider retirement.

But after finding his place he became a key player in England's white ball teams and this year he had his best figures for England in both T20 and one-day international cricket - 3-22, and an England record 6-24 - against India this summer. /p>

He had become a crucial part of England's bowling attack, operating effectively with the new ball and during the dead.

England also lost batsman Jonny Bairstow to a leg injury before the tournament , while fast bowler Jofra Archer is a long-term injury absentee.

However, the team de Jos Buttler had an encouraging preparation for the tournament after a 4-3 series win in Pakistan and a 2-0 win over hosts and defending champions Australia.

Mills, who hasn't played since August due to a toe injury, was favored over right-arm dressmaker Richard Gleeson, the other bowler of pace in Australia as one of England's traveling reserves.

The Arm Tailor Lancashire left Luke Wood, who made his England debut against Pakistan in s September, will move to join the reserve list.

Topley is not expected to undergo surgery but will undergo a further evaluation upon return to UK.

England take on Afghanistan in Perth a. ..