Olly Stone’s faint hopes of that includes for England on this summer season’s Ashes may rest on the outcome of a scan on Monday to find out the severity of his newest injury.
Stone was dominated out of the early half of the sequence as a result of of a hamstring downside and he bowled simply three balls on his comeback for Nottinghamshire within the Vitality Blast on Friday earlier than limping off.
The PA information company understands Stone felt a twinge on the again of his knee on the identical leg because the hamstring criticism, prompting him to train warning in Nottinghamshire’s loss to Birmingham Bears.
The outcomes of Monday’s evaluation will shed some mild on the extent of the problem – and whether or not England shall be disadvantaged of one other quick bowler of their bid to reclaim the urn from their arch rivals.
England needed lots of choices with the Assessments coming thick and quick however Stone’s lack of match sharpness should even be a substantial issue, even when the 29-year-old’s contemporary knock will not be critical.
Whereas Stone has performed simply three Assessments, the final in June 2021, his skill to persistently hit speeds of 90mph was recognised earlier this 12 months by England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Rob Key.
England’s different categorical tempo choices have additionally not featured within the first two Assessments towards Australia, with Jofra Archer sidelined for the summer season though Mark Wooden may return at Headingley subsequent week.
Stone has had a luckless run with accidents which have restricted him to only 46 first-class matches since June 2012, together with 4 stress fractures of the again – the latest led to surgical procedure to strengthen his decrease backbone with two metallic screws in a bid to enhance his prospects of enjoying extra Assessments.
He made an affect in 4 ODIs and a T20 over the winter after coming back from a damaged finger final summer season – and could possibly be in competition as England defend their World Cup in India later this 12 months.
Stone was an unused squad member throughout England’s Check tour of New Zealand in February earlier than taking six wickets in two matches for Nottinghamshire within the LV= Insurance coverage County Championship.
Injury struck in early Might towards Lancashire however regardless of being in apparent discomfort, Stone hobbled to the crease as final man and stored out the final 4 authorized deliveries of the Division One match to assist Nottinghamshire salvage a draw.
The 29-year-old took a wonderful catch towards the Bears as he got here again for Nottinghamshire however pulling up halfway by way of his first over meant an early exit from the match.
