Stone's ready to rock for England

OLLY Stone is set for his first Test appearance in three years after being drafted in as England’s pace x-factor in the absence of the injured Mark Wood.

- DAVID CHARLESWORTH

With a thigh strain ruling Wood out of the rest of the series against Sri Lanka, Stone, who has a chequered injury record of his own, has been named in the XI for the second Test at Lord’s, starting on Thursday.

The inclusion of the 30-yearold is England’s only change from the side that claimed a five-wicket win in last week’s series opener and is a heartening return for a bowler who has endured so many setbacks.

Stone once ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament celebrating a wicket and has had to contend with several stress fractures in his back, leading to the insertion of two metal screws to reinforce his spine.

Most recently, a recurring hamstring problem sidelined him for much of 2023 and wrecked his Ashes hopes but he has featured in six Vitality County Championship matches this year for Nottinghamshire.