Topley looks to put injury history behind him ahead of World Cup

SOUTHAMPTON: Reece Topley is taking nothing for granted regarding his involvement in the defence of England's World Cup title in India following an injury-blighted career.

The 29-year-old left-arm quick has suffered four separate stress fractures in his back.

But having overcome those injuries, he seemed all set to feature in last year's Twenty20 World Cup in Australia only to be ruled out by a freak trip over a boundary cushion ahead of England's final warm-up match.

The ensuing ankle ligament damage meant he was reduced to the role of a long-distance spectator as England added the T20 global title to their 50-over crown.

Having regained fitness, the 6ft 7in (2.01 metres) paceman dislocated his shoulder at the Indian Premier League in April.

And with the start of the 50-over World Cup in India now less than a month away, Topley admitted: "You could say I have a bit of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) about getting on the plane again because it was pretty emotional coming back from the last (World Cup) injured.

"But injuries happen in sport. You can only do so much to prevent them. I don't really think about it too much. It's just the nature of it: you get good days and bad days at the minute.

"As you get older, the injuries do get a bit harder to come back from - just the nature of just being years older. It's not like you won't ever come back from it, it's just always a bit trickier."

Topley has been included in England's provisional World Cup squad following a fine home season last year.

But having gone wicketless in four one-day internationals, he starred with 3-27 in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand at Southampton on Sunday as England levelled the four-match series at 1-1 with a 79-run win in a rain-affected match.

Topley