NEWS
Follow UsEngland, on Tuesday (August 27), named Nottinghamshire pacer Olly Stone as a replacement for injured Mark Wood for the second Test of the three-match series against Sri Lanka. The Lord’s Test begins on Thursday (August 29).
England are already missing regular skipper Ben Stokes and opener Zak Crawley with injuries for this series. Wood was the latest addition to the list after he missed the entire fourth day’s play in the first Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.
The speedster was eventually removed from the squad to protect him from further injuries in what is going to be crucial six Tests away from home for the English side, beginning with the tour of Pakistan in October 2024.
Stone, who comes into the side with a reputation as an out-and-out fast bowler, has played three Tests and taken 10 wickets at an average of 19.40. The 30-year-old has had an injury-ridden career, having played 52 first-class games and taken 167 wickets at an average of 27.07.
“Hopefully, I can go out there and try to touch his [Wood] speed. He's up there with the fastest in the world so I'm not sure if I'll match it - but I'll give it a good shot,” Stone was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo ahead of the Lord’s Test.
England lead the three-match series 1-0 after a five-wicket win in a thrilling encounter in Manchester.
England Playing 11 for the Lord’s Test
Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir
If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here.
