Initially employed as an MCC Young Professional at Lord's in 1984, he was selling scorecards one minute, and then the next fielding as 12th man substitute fielder for the 1984 Lord´s Test match involving England v West Indies. It was during this game that Topley gained notoriety for a splendid one handed catch on the boundary from a shot by Malcolm Marshall that didn´t count as his foot was on the boundary rope.[1] Topley played for Norfolk, Surrey and Griqualand West, as well as his 10-year career with Essex.
As a right-arm medium-fast bowler, Topley took 564 wickets at the top level of county cricket before being released from his contract in 1994, whereupon he made accusations that two 1991 county matches were fixed.[2] Together with Guy Lovell, Topley took part in an interview with the Sunday Mirror stating that during matches against Lancashire, Essex were approached by the opposing team and accepted their offer of throwing one match in the Sunday League in return for Lancashire throwing the two sides' next encounter in the County Championship. The Test and County Cricket Board reported that they had found no substance to the revelations.[3]
Topley was also an international coach with Zimbabwe from 1990 to 1992, after spending many winters playing and coaching all over southern Africa. In this capacity he helped Zimbabwe to upset England in a group match at the 1992 Cricket World Cup, placing him in the unusual position of helping to defeat England's captainGraham Gooch who was also his county captain at Essex.[1] This match occurred between Gooch and Topley combining on the same side in Essex's triumphs in the County Championship in 1991 and 1992. Being an alumnus of the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk, he returned there after his career as Master i/c cricket. His brother, Peter Topley, had a brief career for Kent and his son, Reece Topley, is a left-arm fast-bowler who played for Essex, Hampshire and the England one-day team.[2]
Today Topley commentates on the domestic game of cricket, and is often found on the after dinner speaking circuit. Topley also hosts overseas supporters cricket tours following the England team.
References
^ ab"Best actors in a supporting role". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
^ ab"Player Profile: Don Topley". CricInfo. ESPN. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
^Williamson, Martin (17 February 2007). "If it ain't fixed ..." CricInfo. ESPN. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
topley, thomas, donald, topley, born, february, 1964, known, english, former, professional, cricketer, personal, informationfull, namethomas, donald, topleyborn, 1964, february, 1964, canterbury, kent, englandnicknametoppersbattingright, handedbowlingright, me. Thomas Donald Topley born 25 February 1964 known as Don Topley is an English former professional cricketer Don TopleyPersonal informationFull nameThomas Donald TopleyBorn 1964 02 25 25 February 1964 age 59 Canterbury Kent EnglandNicknameToppersBattingRight handedBowlingRight arm medium fastRoleBowlerRelationsReece Topley son Peter Topley brother Domestic team informationYearsTeam1984 1985Norfolk1985Surrey1985 1994Essex1987 88Griqualand WestCareer statisticsCompetition First class List AMatches 120 158Runs scored 1 693 452Batting average 15 53 9 04100s 50s 0 4 0 0Top score 66 38 Balls bowled 19 422 7 428Wickets 367 197Bowling average 27 64 26 395 wickets in innings 15 210 wickets in match 2 0Best bowling 7 75 6 33Catches stumpings 70 32 Source CricInfo 28 August 2011Initially employed as an MCC Young Professional at Lord s in 1984 he was selling scorecards one minute and then the next fielding as 12th man substitute fielder for the 1984 Lord s Test match involving England v West Indies It was during this game that Topley gained notoriety for a splendid one handed catch on the boundary from a shot by Malcolm Marshall that didn t count as his foot was on the boundary rope 1 Topley played for Norfolk Surrey and Griqualand West as well as his 10 year career with Essex As a right arm medium fast bowler Topley took 564 wickets at the top level of county cricket before being released from his contract in 1994 whereupon he made accusations that two 1991 county matches were fixed 2 Together with Guy Lovell Topley took part in an interview with the Sunday Mirror stating that during matches against Lancashire Essex were approached by the opposing team and accepted their offer of throwing one match in the Sunday League in return for Lancashire throwing the two sides next encounter in the County Championship The Test and County Cricket Board reported that they had found no substance to the revelations 3 Topley was also an international coach with Zimbabwe from 1990 to 1992 after spending many winters playing and coaching all over southern Africa In this capacity he helped Zimbabwe to upset England in a group match at the 1992 Cricket World Cup placing him in the unusual position of helping to defeat England s captain Graham Gooch who was also his county captain at Essex 1 This match occurred between Gooch and Topley combining on the same side in Essex s triumphs in the County Championship in 1991 and 1992 Being an alumnus of the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk he returned there after his career as Master i c cricket His brother Peter Topley had a brief career for Kent and his son Reece Topley is a left arm fast bowler who played for Essex Hampshire and the England one day team 2 Today Topley commentates on the domestic game of cricket and is often found on the after dinner speaking circuit Topley also hosts overseas supporters cricket tours following the England team References Edit a b Best actors in a supporting role ESPNCricinfo Retrieved 22 July 2022 a b Player Profile Don Topley CricInfo ESPN Retrieved 23 August 2011 Williamson Martin 17 February 2007 If it ain t fixed CricInfo ESPN Retrieved 23 August 2011 External links EditDon Topley at ESPNcricinfo Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Don Topley amp oldid 1136762679, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
