Fast Englishman Reece Topley has claimed the best ODI bowling at the Home of Cricket to help bring down India’s batting attack in London.
England have recovered from a humiliating 10-point defeat to India to secure a convincing 100-race victory in the second international of a day at Lord’s, with left-hander Reece Topley claiming the best numbers of his 6/24 career.
The 28-year-old broke England’s all-time record for the best bowling figures in a men’s ODI, which he had previously had for 17 years former versatile and current assistant coach Paul Collingwood.
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After eliminating the top two Indians economically in Powerplay, Topley cleared the queue to help roll the tourists by 146 in 38.5 overs, equaling the three-game series to 1-1.
He also became the first English cricketer to take five wickets in an ODI at Lord’s since 1997, when the great Darren Gough hit 5/44 against Australia.
“It’s an exceptional story, the way it’s gone through the ups and downs, the stress fractures,” former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports.
“He’s played well in white ball cricket lately and also in that T20 game at Trent Bridge when everyone else was going through the park.
“Now is his place and when you get numbers like these, with so many important games coming up and England looking for bowling players with a long list of injuries … if any bowling player can get up and keep performing afterwards of acting, then you’re almost saying, “You can’t leave me out.”
Best bowling figures for England in men’s ODI
6/24: Reece Topley vs. IND, 2022
31/6: Paul Collingwood v. BAN, 2005
6/45 – Chris Woakes v. AUS, 2011
6/47 – Chris Woakes vs SL, 2014
5/15 – Mark Ealham v. ZIM, 2000
India won the draw and opted to play first in London, with England recording a defensible total of 246 although no one in the starting eleven reached 50.
Multipurpose Moeen Ali and David Willey combined for a crucial 62-race partnership for the sixth port, scoring 47 and 41, respectively.
Leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed 4/47 in an impressive 10-envelope spell, including the vital ports of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
In response, India sank to 4/31 in the 12th, with captain Rohit Sharma and goalkeeper Rishabh Pant both returning to the cutlery without disturbing the scorers.
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli was sacked for 16 years after fishing on a Willey delivery off the stump, an all-too-familiar way of dismissal for the 33-year-old.
He spreads his unwanted streak of tickets to international cricket without a century until 78.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his support for the Indian superstar and posted on Twitter: “This will happen too. Be strong.”
Topley made his international debut in 2015, but four years of his career were plagued by injuries, with the paceman suffering four different stress fractures in his back.
“It means a lot, it’s worth being honest,” he said.
“It’s everyone’s dream to play in England. I just want to put on the shirt as many times as I can and do my part. It’s a privilege every time.
“It was a fantastic team performance to recover from the defeat the other day and I’m glad I did my part.”
England captain Jos Buttler, well placed to assess Topley’s bowling from his position as goalkeeper, said: “He is a very popular member of the team and I am delighted with him.
“He’s had a pretty interesting story. For him coming back from that and taking 6/24 at Lord’s is an incredibly special performance.
“It is a tribute to his perseverance and his vision of life and play. He has had very hard experiences, not knowing if he would play again, and this has given him a real sense of perspective and a real enjoyment when he plays.
“He has all the attributes to be a fantastic international bowler and I’m thrilled he got those results today.”
The third decisive ODI between England and India will take place on Sunday at Old Trafford.
“It’s going to be exciting, obviously a lot to look forward to,” Sharma said.
“A quick change for us, we have to regroup, understand what we have not done well as a team and try to see what we can do better.
“We’ll get there and see the conditions and we’ll adapt.”
—With AFP