International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined fast bowler Reece Topley of England with a 15 per cent match fee for some outburst he made in Barbados on Wednesday at the end of the first T20I match against the West Indies. He was 30 years old and visibly frustrated after he injured his right knee while bowling. However, after the rain delay, Topley continued to bowl for only one more delivery. He left the field afterwards and did not appear in any further stage of the game.
Reece Topley has been fined earlier as well
This is the latest gaffe in what has become a battle-hardened career marked by fitness issues. Topley was seen throwing his chair in anger at a handrail on the stairs as he trudged off from the field, a gesture somewhat similar to what he did in Mumbai on the eve of his finger injury that was going to sideline him for the 2023 World Cup for the cricketer when he whipped his chair off.
The full extent of Topley’s knee injury isn’t known yet, but it was enough to keep him out of England’s second match in the series, a seven-wicket victory on Sunday. He carries a history of injuries into this limited-overs campaign, a serious back stress fracture and that ankle to miss his T20 World Cup in 2022, having injured himself in a Brisbane practice session.
Demerit point added to Topley’s career
This time, Topley was found guilty of breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct under Article 2.2 as he had used equipment or facilities in an international match. He pleaded guilty to the charge and the fine imposed by ICC match referee Richie Richardson. Along with that fine, Topley has already incurred one demerit point. If he gathers four or more demerit points within two years, then he may be suspended. However, this is his first such offence during the relevant period.
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