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Topley reprimanded for smashing stumps

Cape Town - The final over in Friday night's T20I between South Africa and England at Newlands is one that young Reece Topley would rather forget. 

The Proteas needed 15 to win from the final six balls, and then needed two to win off Topley's last delivery. 

What followed was drama of the highest order. 

Chris Morris hit Topley to Joe Root at long-off and Kyle Abbott did not hesitate in turning for two. 

Root's throw to the non-striker's end, where Topley was well positioned, was good and Abbott was short of his ground. 

But Topley, just 22-years-old, dropped the ball and lost the opportunity to whip off the bails and send the match into a Super Over. 

It was a moment of elation for the hosts, but you couldn't help but feel for Topley. 

The left-handed seamer then smashed the stumps in disappointment in a moment that has now brought about action from the International Cricket Council (ICC). 

According to the ICC's website, Topley has "received an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct" that relates specifically to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match."

Topley escaped a formal hearing after he admitted to the offence after the match, and it seems likely that he will get away with a polite slap on the wrist. 

England captain Eoin Morgan, meanwhile, refused to blame Topley for his side's loss.

"He's obviously really disappointed at the moment but he has a huge amount of character and resolve," said Morgan.

"We see a huge amount of potential in him and I think the biggest compliment I can pay him at the minute is if we played the same game tomorrow and he needed to bowl the last over I'd have every faith in him.

"He's only played a handful of games ... I think it comes with experience."

The second T20I takes place at Wanderers on Sunday.

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