Reece James William Topley born on February 21 1994 in Ipswich Suffolk England is a prominent figure in English cricket Standing at an imposing 6 feet 8 inches 203 cm Topley is known for his left arm fast medium bowling and has been a vital asset to Englands white ball teams since his debut in 2015 His journey is marked by resilience overcoming multiple injuries to represent his country at the highest level .
Early Life and Background
Reece Topley hails from a cricketing family His father Don Topley played first class cricket for Essex and Surrey and served as a cricket master at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook where Reece was educated His uncle Peter Topley also played first class cricket Reeces early exposure to the sport combined with his familys support laid a strong foundation for his cricketing career .
During his school years Topley was a multi sport athlete excelling in athletics hockey and rugby However cricket remained his primary passion At just 15 he was already part of the Essex 2nd XI and the schools 1st XI showcasing his prodigious talent .
Domestic and Franchise Career
Topleys professional career began with Essex in 2011 where he made an immediate impact by taking five wickets in his County Championship debut against Kent He continued to impress with another five wicket haul against Middlesex in the subsequent match His performances earned him a spot in Englands Under 19 team .
In 2016 Topley moved to Hampshire but his time there was marred by injuries including multiple stress fractures that led to back surgery After a stint with Sussex in 2019 he joined Surrey where he revitalized his career. Topley has also been active in franchise cricket He played for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League and Durbans Super Giants in the SA20 In the Indian Premier League IPL he represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2023 and 2024 before joining Mumbai Indians in 2025
International Career
Topley made his T20 International debut for England against Australia on August 31 2015 followed by his One Day International debut on September 13 2015 also against Australia He quickly became a regular in Englands white ball squads known for his ability to swing the ball and deliver crucial breakthroughs .
One of his standout performances came in July 2022 when he recorded figures of 6 for 24 against India setting the record for the best ODI bowling figures for England Despite facing setbacks due to injuries including a dislocated shoulder during the 2023 IPL season Topley has consistently demonstrated resilience and a commitment to returning stronger .
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Playing Style and Strengths
As a left arm fast medium bowler Topley brings variety to Englands bowling attack His height allows him to extract extra bounce from the pitch making him a challenging prospect for batsmen He is particularly effective with the new ball capable of swinging it both ways and is known for his accuracy and control
Topleys favorite delivery is the yorker and he has often been entrusted with bowling in the death overs where his composure and skill have been invaluable .
Personal Life
Outside of cricket Topley has a range of interests including hiking horse riding and pottery He has several tattoos each with personal significance such as a No Fear inscription on his left forearm Topley is known for his calm demeanor and professionalism attributes that have helped him navigate the challenges of a professional sports career
He was previously in a relationship with Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina from 2016 to 2018 As of 2024 Topley remains unmarried and continues to focus on his cricketing career .
