Cricket: Topley excited at prospect of starting season with Hampshire

The left-armer has experienced fluctuating fortunes over the past 18 months.

He had the highs of an impressive period spent with England last winter and also pulled on a Hampshire shirt for the first time in April.

But there was also the downside of going through more than one rehabilitation process as a result of unfortunate injuries.

However, Topley is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a shoulder injury sustained over the winter and, with a new season on the horizon, he cannot wait to get started.

He said: “The shoulder is really good. I’m well ahead of schedule compared with where I should be, which is good and I’m looking forward to getting out there.

“The injury was initially worse than expected which was surprising and frustrating. I basically tore my cartilage in the shoulder which caused me quite a lot of pain but that’s all behind me now so I’m just looking forward to the next phase after working hard on getting back.”

His recovery process has been aided by Topley’s hard work in the gym, guided by advice from medical specialists and the club’s strength and conditioning team.

While the 23-year-old is still yet to bowl a ball in competitive cricket for Hampshire since signing prior to last season – he suffered a hand fracture in the club’s opening contest of the 2016 campaign – Topley feels he is in good shape in his pre-season preparations.

He added: “I’m where every other bowler is at the moment – just trying to get my action and technique in order for the summer and also increasing my preparations and workload so that’s up to scratch for professional cricket in time for the new season.”

Topley will bowl outdoors for the first time this winter when he travels to Barbados as part of Hampshire’s pre-season tour, heading out with the team’s other frontline bowlers a week on Thursday for a specialist training camp ahead of the arrival of the remainder of the squad on March 12.