Reece Topley praised England’s ability to keep calm amidst the carnage of a run-fest at Trent Bridge, with the hosts running out victors by 17 runs against India, in an IT20 clash where over 400 were scored.
The left-armer returned figures of 3-22 from four overs, but played the role of spectator as Suryakumar Yadav smashed a 117 off 55 balls in a losing cause.
“That was unique, I have never come up against anything like that, to be honest. There were some special shots, and I don’t know how they are played,” Topley laughed, “it was an amazing knock, one that deserved to be on the winning side.
“In a high scoring game, it is easy to get carried away with the emotions, and I think it is a skill in itself as much as bowling a slower ball, to keep your head and not getting wrapped up in everything.
“It has been amazing to play in front of the Indian fans. They are so animated, and because of the volume they produce it can be intense... but we kept our cool.”
Topley, who replaced Sam Curran for the clash in the East Midlands, also admitted that the ability to focus on the process is an important one to get the best of himself.
Clarity is key in the pursuit of peak performance, and new captain Jos Buttler helps to provide just that.
“Jos was amazing, I kept looking at him and I couldn’t really tell the situation of the game from when we were on top to when we were chasing the ball,” Topley said.
“Every ball is an event, and that is very true in T20 cricket, especially when you are trying to restrict a team who are trying to chase your score down.
“We set a decent score but batters came off saying a change of pace into the middle of the wicket was the hardest to face.
“I thought the boundaries were a decent size, I haven’t seen them that big here, but it is a lightning outfield which makes up for it,” he continued.
“You have to just commit, if one goes, you go to the top of the mark and work out what the next best ball is going to be.”
The result prevented a whitewash at the hands of India who won the three match series 2-1.
Topley, though, has his sights set on the longer goals of the side, and believes he has acquitted himself well in a side riddled with stiff competition.
“The first two performances were not ideal but you trust the process and it is a brand that, when you play tournaments, it will pay off.
Being brave and aggressive, and always taking that front foot is a long term goal. It is not just about this series, but about the World Cup in October.
“I think I have taken the opportunities that have come my way. Obviously, there is a new captain and now coaches to try and impress. In my head it is back to square one and trying to impress the right people.
“But ultimately it is about getting wins as a team. With every game, it’s about how we can get one step closer to winning the World Cup.”
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