Olly Stone faces a battle to be fit for the second half of this summer’s Ashes series after scans pointed to a “five to six week” absence with a hamstring injury.
The England fast bowler, 29, pulled up with an injury during Nottinghamshire’s Division One match with Lancashire at Trent Bridge last weekend and it is understood he has been ruled out of the first Test at Edgbaston that starts on 16 June.
Though capped just three times by England in Test cricket, Stone’s pace meant he was earmarked as one of three outright quick bowlers for the five-match series against Australia along with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Ben Stokes, who has requested fast, flat pitches, was hoping to use them on rotation as the team’s third seamer.
But with three weeks to go until the one-off Test against Ireland that starts on 1 June – and five until the first Ashes Test – Wood appears the only member of the trio who is currently fit. As well as Stone’s injury, Archer has returned from the Indian Premier League early after reporting discomfort in his right elbow, which is an ongoing issue.
We're with you, Olly 💪
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) May 11, 2023
Olly Stone will miss the start of the Vitality Blast following a scan of his injured hamstring.
We, and England, will be working with Olly to get him returning to cricket in a timely manner without compromising his recovery ahead of a busy summer. pic.twitter.com/wkmNOfuxCT
It makes England’s decision to rest Ollie Robinson for Sussex’s trip to Leicestershire this week look all the more sensible. The right-armer claimed 14 wickets against Worcestershire at New Road last week but, as well as undergoing a recentpainkilling injection in his lower back, finished the match suffering from cramps.
Jimmy Anderson is playing against Somerset this week and among the wickets, likewise Matt Potts for Durham at home to Yorkshire. Stuart Broad is missing the round as part of a pre-agreed break, as is Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes.
Stokes, who would be the fourth seamer in England’s attack, has also missed a chunk of the IPL with a toe problem but is said to be match fit once more. The all-rounder, who is also trying to overcome a chronic left knee problem, missed his Chennai side’s most recent fixture for tactical reasons.
A chance for Stone to get his workload up andprove his fitness in four-day cricket for a late entry into the series is still possible. Notts have two Championship fixtures amid the upcoming block of T20 Blast matches, taking on Warwickshire at Trent Bridge from 11 June and Somerset at Taunton from 25 June. A four-day second XI game against Durham from 19 June also sits in between.
Playing the first of those could make the second Test that starts at Lord’s on 28 June a possibility for Stone but it appears touch and go. The third Test at Headingley that gets under way on 6 July may represent a more realistic target for a player who has endured a rotten run of injuries during his career.
