T20 World Cup: England bowler Reece Topley says boundary sponges are 'unsafe' and 'purely for money'
Cricket's boundary
sponges are "unsafe" and there "purely for money", says
England pace bowler Reece Topley.
Topley, 28, was part of England's 15-man squad
for the ongoing T20 World Cup before being ruled out after tripping on a sponge
during a catching drill.
The seamer ruptured ligaments in his left
ankle and tore muscles around it, but is unlikely to require surgery.
"Is it safe? No. Why is it there? Purely
for money," Topley told the Daily Mail.
"It's not there to enhance the playing
experience or broaden the game in any way."
Topley had fought his way into the side having suffered four stress fractures of the back in five years and was set to play a key role with the new ball and at the death after impressing in the past six months, taking 14 wickets in 12 games.
"People have said it's a freak accident
and all I can do is point out the ankle-high boundary advertising right next to
where a player stands throughout a game," Topley added.
"I don't think that really is a freak
incident.
"It's happened before and it will
probably happen again. People think they are fun and engaging but there's
something there that doesn't facilitate anything. It can hinder you by being in
your mind."
Topley explained how his studs got stuck in
the plastic coating on the sponge and he sat there thinking "I'm
cooked" and that he would not "be playing for at least a month".
After the incident, England
Test captain Ben Stokes called the sponges
"stupid" and said they "should be looked at", but
white-ball captain Jos Buttler said it was an "accident" and
"not a big issue".
Topley said the injury was a "minor
setback" and "when it's healed, I can get back bowling in no
time".
However, he said there is a "huge sense
of an opportunity missed".
"I don't think as a bowler you could have
a better World Cup to play in than this one," he added.
"The wickets have been pretty helpful and
that's almost gone out of the game.
"I was extremely gutted. I never doubted
I could contribute to England. I always thought I was worth a place in the
squad but I just had to wait to get an opportunity. When that opportunity arose
I felt I'd taken it and then this happened."
However he says his disappointment will be
"a bit easier if the boys go on to win the trophy" because it would
mean he "wasn't missed".
England are aiming to become double world
champions and a win over Sri Lanka in their final Super 12 game on Saturday
should see them through to the semi-finals.
