Reece Topley could be the answer to England's lack of Test bowling options

Reece Topley described his six wicket record-breaking performance at Lord’s as “crazy” and it has certainly sealed a full time place in England white-ball plans in a World Cup year, but what about Test cricket too?

It may seem a little premature after one big performance in 50-over cricket to link Topley with the Test call up, but there is a false presumption that because of his long injury record that he is a white-ball specialist like Tymal Mills.

Topley joined Surrey in 2019, signing a long-term deal to play all formats. He appeared in seven championship matches last summer, the most since 2013, and as many as he had managed in the previous seven years combined. He had been earmarked for eight games this campaign.

He played three early summer, but England white-ball call-ups have prevented him playing in the July round of four-day games. 

However, Surrey believe he can play Test cricket and Topley himself is understood to want to be a Test bowler. 

At 6ft 8in and left-arm, he is an exciting prospect for England given the scarcity of bowling resources at the moment. But the problem is whether the schedule will allow him enough time to play the four-day cricket for Surrey that he needs to convince the selectors and himself that his body is durable enough for the longest format, after suffering four stress fractures and undergoing major back surgery.

With Mark Wood's return uncertain and Chris Woakes too, England are short of options for the South Africa series beyond those who played against India and New Zealand. Jofra Archer may not play at all this year and Saqib Mahmood is out for the summer too. Olly Stone has made a comeback in the Blast but has not played championship cricket yet, so if Topley builds on the