HAMPSHIRE have received a double injury blow with Reece Topley and Brad Taylor set for extended spells on the sidelines.

Topley has received another injury setback after being diagnosed with a stress fracture of the back for the fourth time in his career.

Topley has been restricted to 15 games in his season and a half with Hampshire, including seven T20 games and three first-class matches. 

He suffered a broken hand on debut and also had back and shoulder trouble before his latest injury.

Hampshire confirmed the news with the following statement: Hampshire Cricket can confirm that after undergoing scans earlier this week, it has been determined that seamer Reece Topley has sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his back.
Reece will undergo further tests and consultation over the coming weeks which will help determine the estimated recovery time for the injury and further updates will be provided in due course.

Before tonight’s win against Middlesex at Lord’s, Topley tweeted: “I’m gutted about my current situation.I will do all in my power to recover from this set back. Wishing the lads all the best for the match!"

Basingstoke Gazette:

Brad Taylor on his Hampshire debut, aged 16, in 2014 (Pic: Simon Pendrigh)

Taylor who three years ago became Hampshire’s youngest player since 1867, could be out for the rest of the season after injuring his ankle in a Second XI fielding practice session.

The 20-year old off-spinning all-rounder, who played in the County Championship match against Lancashire at Old Trafford in June, was preparing for a washed-out T20 match with Surrey IIs when the accident occurred.

“It was a simple fielding pick-up and throw drill,” explained Hampshire’s Head of Player Development Charlie Freeston.

“It the other ankle to the one Brad injured last summer. He’s having an MRI scan in the next day or so.”

It’s the second time Taylor, who captained England YCs at the last ICC Under-19 World Cup, has been sidelined with ankle trouble.

Early last season he damaged ligaments in a freak fall on the steps leading down to the main Ageas Bowl outfield.

Taylor’s injury is also an untimely blow to Havant’s prospects of retaining the ECB British Gas Southern Premier League title.

He has scored 283 runs and taken 20 wickets for the defending champions, including a century and a 7-38 return against Andover – Saturday’s ‘white ball’ 50-over opponents at London Road (1pm).