England Pacer Olly Stone Ruled Out of the Windies Tour

The England Cricket team fast bowler, Olly Stone will miss the whole of Windies tour after he suffered a back injury. Meanwhile, Stone, who underwent tests on Wednesday, 16 January, has a bone stress injury to the left lower back and will return home for further investigation and treatment.

The 25-year-old Olly Stone, who is yet to make his Test debut, made his one-day international debut on England’s recent tour of Sri Lanka. He provided the side with an express pace option, although with veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and young gun Sam Curran in the mix, he wasn’t an automatic selection in the XI.

Stone didn’t take part in the visitors’ two-day warm-up game after complaining of a stiff back from the flight into the Caribbean. And when things didn’t seem to settle, he went through the Tests which ruled him out.

Speaking about the injury, Broad said it is unfortunate for the young pacer. However, he remained hopeful that Olly Stone will back in England shirt quickly.

“It’s hugely disappointing. He felt a sharp pain in his lower back the other day and that’s a sign of a bone reaction. He’s a fine bowler and I’m sure we’ll see him in an England shirt soon,” Broad said.

This is another setback for Stone, who had missed most of 2017 with a knee injury. However, England have not announced any replacement for the same. The first of the three-match Test series starts from January 23 (Wednesday).