Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
Olly Stone is set to fly back to England from the Pakistan tour on Wednesday for his wedding, making his participation in the second Test unlikely. With the match scheduled just days after his wedding, Stone’s return in time to be considered for selection is uncertain.
Though the exact date of his return has not been confirmed, it appears improbable that Stone will be ready to rejoin the squad in time for Tuesday’s second Test. The England pacer recently made a strong comeback in Test cricket, taking seven wickets in two matches against Sri Lanka at the end of the English summer, marking his first appearances in the format in three years. The England coaching staff and management, including head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key, are reportedly fine with Stone’s temporary departure.
“We booked the wedding on the basis of me only playing for Notts at the time,” Stone told BBC.
“Jess said she was happy to move the wedding and I was adamant on keeping it where it was if possible. For what she has given up and sacrificed for me, I thought the least I could do was to try and make it work,” Stone added.
However, for the first Test against Pakistan, England opted for Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Chris Woakes as their seamers, with Matthew Potts also included in the squad as an extra fast bowling option. Given that Stone wasn’t included in the latest round of central contracts and the wedding had been scheduled long before his return to the squad, both Key and McCullum agreed that he could go home for the event.
Despite his strong showing against Sri Lanka, Stone’s absence provides other bowlers with an opportunity to shine in the Pakistan series. With his brief break from the tour, players like Atkinson, Carse, and Woakes have the chance to cement their roles in the side.
