Reece Topley selected for England T20 World Cup squad

Polstead’s bowling sensation Reece Topley is celebrating the news he has this morning (Wednesday, February 10) been included in the ECB’s England Twenty/20 World Cup squad.

For the player who honed his skills as a youngster with his local club, Hadleigh, it caps a dream four days, having

taken an international career best of 4-50 against South Africa to put England 2-0 up in the One Day International series on Saturday.

The left-arm seamer who announced he had signed for Hampshire from Essex towards the end of last season, was unable to add to that tally yesterday, not taking any wickets in his six overs, as the hosts hit back with a seven-wicket for 2-1.

But Topley, speaking exclusively to the Suffolk Free Press from England’s base in South Africa said he had already been told of his inclusion ahead of the match in Centurion.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” he said, of his inclusion. “I was advised a couple of days ago and I am so so happy to be involved in a World Cup squad.”

England, who are due to play the next installement in their five-match ODI series with South Africa on Friday in Johannesburg, face the West Indies in Mumbai on March 16 in their first group game in the T20 World Cup.

* For an extended interview with Reece Topley, see tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) Suffolk Free Press print edition.