Time away from game makes it all worthwhile: Reece Topley

With 6 for 24 in the second ODI against India, England fast bowler Reece Topley now has the record for the best bowling figures in the 50-over format for his country. Topley returned to the England squad in 2020, four years after last playing for them in 2016 and since then, has put in quite a few impressive performances in white-ball cricket. 

Injuries too kept him out of contention for some time but looking back, he now feels all that was worthwhile. Defending 246, England went on to win the Lord's ODI by 100 runs and with that have levelled the three-match series at one apiece.

"It means a lot, it makes it all worthwhile to be honest," said Topley at the post-match presentation.

With his performance at Lord's, he improved upon former England skipper Paul Collingwood's 17-year-old record (6 for 31) against Bangladesh. With the series now level at 1-1, both the teams will square up once again in the third and final ODI at Old Trafford on Sunday (July 17).

"That was a terrific team performance... Just happy that it came off. It (today) means a lot. Of course, everyone dreams to play for England... It's a big game at the weekend, try and wrap up the series. Hopefully, we do that, and whatever is next," Topley said.

Topley has represented England in only 17 ODI games since making his debut in 2015, and a career interrupted by back injuries meant he had to miss several games for his country.

But he is determined to make the most of his comeback. "It is everyone's dream to play for England," he said.

"I just want to pull the shirt on as many times as I can and play my part. It is a privilege every time," Topley said.

England skipper Jos Buttler, who admitted that England did not bat well once again, heaped praise on Topley's never-say-die attitude. "He's had quite an interesting story. For him to come back from that and to take 6/24 at Lord's is an incredibly special performance," Buttler said.

"It's a tribute to his perseverance and his outlook on life and the game. He's had really tough experiences, not knowing if he would play again, and that's given him a real sense of perspective and a real enjoyment when he's playing," he added.

(With inputs from PTI)