Olly Stone able to play with a smile on his face on return to England Test side

The fast bowler has benefitted from Mark Wood’s series-ending injury.

Olly Stone is about for his first Test appearance in three years after being drafted in as England’s pace x-factor within the absence of the injured Mark Wood.

With a thigh strain ruling Wood out of the remainder of the series against Sri Lanka, Stone, who has a chequered injury record of his own, has been named within the XI for the second Test at Lord’s, starting on Thursday.

The inclusion of the 30-year-old is England’s only change from the side that claimed a five-wicket win in last week’s series opener and is a heartening return for a bowler who has endured so many setbacks.

Stone once ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament celebrating a wicket and has needed to contend with several stress fractures in his back, resulting in the insertion of two metal screws to strengthen his spine.

Most recently, a recurring hamstring problem sidelined him for much of 2023 and wrecked his Ashes hopes but he has featured in six Vitality County Championship matches this 12 months for Nottinghamshire.

“It’s obviously pleasing to be back, great to be back within the environment and I’m loving every minute of it,” said Stone, who made the last of his three Test appearances in June 2021.

“Unfortunately with the character of being a bowler, you’re going to pick up injuries here and there. It’s been disappointing, stop-start throughout my profession.

“This 12 months especially I’ve tried to simply not look too far ahead. I really like playing the sport and I just knew that if I am going on the market and produce those performances, this call might come.

“Thankfully it has and I’m going to exit and luxuriate in every moment and play with a smile on my face.”

Despite the persistent misfortunes he has needed to endure, Stone insisted his focus was all the time to get back into the Test side slightly than to pursue T20 opportunities that might have been easier on his body.

“I just love the sensation of coming off after an extended 4 or five days, on the back of a hard-fought win,” said Stone.

“It’s something that white-ball cricket can’t offer you. I’ve all the time said that considered one of the explanations I went down certain surgical routes to have my back sorted was in order that I could exit and play Test cricket again.

“It’s never been in my mind to offer that up. If my body then gave up on me, perhaps I’d need to step away but thankfully to date I’ve found a way and I will be back on the market in an England shirt.”

While Stone has express pace and may very well be the fastest bowler on show this week, he was reluctant to forged himself as a direct substitute for Wood, who has touched 97mph this summer.

“It’s been pretty frightening the way in which he’s been bowling,” added Stone.

“It’s disappointing for him to miss out, the way in which he’s are available in and bowled this summer may be very exciting.

“Hopefully, I can go on the market and take a look at and touch his speeds. He’s obviously up there with the fastest on the earth so I’m unsure if I’ll match it but I’ll give it a superb shot.”