Reece Topley reveals England determination not to let South Africa off the hook

09 February 2016 04:53

England have a rare 5-0 whitewash victory on their minds already - but at Centurion they must try to make sure of success by any margin in the third one-day international against South Africa.

Reece Topley's career-best four for 50 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday helped the tourists to a five-wicket win, and 2-0 lead with three to play.

Topley, who will turn 22 this month, was in short trousers the last time England inflicted a 5-0 ODI defeat on anyone - in Zimbabwe in 2001.

His international career is also in its infancy, after just nine white-ball matches.

But he has become a central part of a fast-improving team's game plan, with his left-arm variations, and has his eyes on completing another series win on Tuesday.

"We don't want them to get back in the series," he said of England's hosts.

"We're one game away from the series, and we want to wrap it up here - and then hope we can go for a 5-0."

Topley made his England debut, at home to Australia, less than six months ago - and has slotted in quickly to a team determined, under Eoin Morgan, to put last winter's embarrassingly early World Cup exit firmly in the past.

He added: "It's gone quite well for me personally, but the bottom line is we're 2-0 up - which is the more satisfying thing.

"It's obviously nice to get personal accolades along the way. But the end result as a team is what we all want to reach."

Hashim Amla, out of form with two low scores at the top of the order for South Africa, is among those standing in England's way - and like Topley, he was talking a good game on the eve of the day-night match at SuperSport Park.

"I think in that last game we were pretty close," he said.

"We played some good cricket at times - and it was a bit of an improvement from the first game, although even there we were still in with a shout.

"I hope we can put it all together at once, consecutively in three matches."

Source: PA