Olly Stone replaces injured Mark Wood for Lord's Test
England's fast bowler, Olly Stone, is set to replace Mark Wood in the upcoming Lord's Test against Sri Lanka. This change comes after Wood sustained a thigh injury during the 1st Test against the Lankans, ruling him out for the remainder of the series. Stone has expressed his determination to match Wood's impressive speeds of over 155kph that he achieved last month against West Indies.
Stone's Test debut and back surgery
Stone made his debut in the 2019 Lord's Test against Ireland. However, he had to undergo back surgery in 2021 at the nearby Wellington Hospital. The procedure involved the insertion of two screws. Despite this setback, Stone remains committed to Test cricket and cherishes the unique challenges it presents. He stated, "I'll keep coming back for Test cricket until my body tells me otherwise."
Stone's journey and aspirations in Test cricket
Despite a career marred by injuries, Stone has remained a consistent figure in England squads when fit. He missed most of last season due to a hamstring injury but has since made 28 appearances for Nottinghamshire and London Spirit this summer. This is his second-highest single-season appearance record. Stone aims to emulate Wood's role in the team by delivering fast bowling in short spells.
Stone's performance and England's selection strategy
Despite a modest record of 11 Championship wickets at an average of 52.63 for Nottinghamshire in the ongoing season, Stone was selected due to England's focus on attributes over averages. This strategy also influenced the management to give Josh Hull a call-up for Wood. National selector Luke Wright hinted that Sam Cook might have been considered, had Chris Woakes been unfit instead of Wood, emphasizing the team's desire for pace and variety in their attack.
