England will be boosted by the return of two familiar looking pace men during training sessions in the West Indies over the next few weeks.
No, it is not a shock recall for James Anderson and Stuart Broad, but the tracksuiting up of Olly Stone and Jofra Archer.
Archer recently featured during training sessions with the T20 squad in Barbados ahead of their five match series on the island in January where he was able to operate at around three quarters pace as he continues his recovery from an elbow injury.
But it will be the sight of Stone out in Antigua continuing his rehab from a stress fracture of the back that will be most pleasing to see.
Stone went under the knife in July and had a screw inserted into his back to try and stabilise the area and prevent further problems when bowling at high speed.
It means Stone has now banished thoughts of retirement that the 28-year-old seriously considered at his lowest ebb last summer.
At the time he said: "If I'm being honest, I've had to properly think hard about whether I want to try and get back out there and do it again.”
The good news is that he is trying again and the three times capped Warwickshire speedster is now actually able to bowl and can do so under the watchful eye of England physios, and is targeting a return to cricket in either April or May.
Stone’s return would be a huge bonus for England as they look to bolster their pace options alongside Mark Wood, who carried the heaviest burden in Australia and will do so again in the Caribbean.
Archer has no firm time scale for his playing return, but it appears unlikely that he will feature in the Test side in the first half of the summer as he gradually builds up match strength.
“I can do everything but it’s small steps,” said the 26-year-old. “I have no idea when I will be playing matches.”
