Topley shortlisted for national cricket award

Essex fast bowler Reece Topley has been shortlisted for an award by the cricketers' union the Professional Cricketers Association.

The 19 year old was named in England's Performance programme squad last month - which keeps him in line for possible full England honours. Topley has already played for England Under 19s and England Lions.

Topley took 86 wickets in all cricket this summer. That total included 48 wickets in his first full season in the LV= County Championship, and a further 21 in the Friends Life t20 to help Essex to Finals Day.

It's the latest stage in Topley's meteoric rise since making his first class debut as a 17 year old for Essex, although he first hit the headlines two years previously.

That was during net bowling duties with England. Topley was hit on the head by a shot from England batsman Kevin Pietersen, and he needed stitches put in the wound.

He'll find out tonight if he's been named the PCA's Young Player of the Year at the Association's awards ceremony in London.