Olly Stone has vowed to "try to reach" Mark Wood's pace as he steps in for Wood as England's lead fast bowler in the upcoming Lord's Test. Wood, who clocked 97mph/156 kph against the West Indies last month, suffered a thigh injury during the first Test against Sri Lanka, ruling him out for the remainder of the series. Stone has been selected as Wood's replacement, marking the only change to England's lineup for the Lord's Test.
At 30, Stone has played just three Tests in his injury-riddled career but has been a consistent presence in England squads when fit. After missing most of the previous season due to a hamstring injury, Stone has appeared in 28 matches across formats this summer for Nottinghamshire and London Spirit, making it his second-most active season.
Stone's role will mirror Wood's, requiring him to bowl at top speed in short bursts. He acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that while Wood's pace has been thrilling to watch, he hopes to push himself to similar speeds. Though unsure if he can match Wood's velocity, Stone is determined to give it his best shot.
Stone debuted in Test cricket at Lord's in 2019 but later underwent back surgery in 2021, which involved inserting two screws. Reflecting on the surgery, he described it as the best decision he ever made, as he has had no recurring issues since. Stone reiterated his commitment to Test cricket, stating that he would continue playing until his body could no longer endure the demands.
He expressed his love for the grind of Test cricket, where the challenge extends beyond skill to character and teamwork over several days—a contrast to the shorter formats. Stone shared that his decision to undergo surgery was driven by his desire to play Test cricket again. He has never considered giving up the format, and as long as his body holds up, he plans to keep representing England.
Stone views this upcoming Test as a "second debut," hoping it marks the beginning of an injury-free chapter in his career. He has endured four stress fractures in his back, including two within seven months in 2019, with the last occurring during his previous Test appearance against New Zealand in 2021. His injury history also includes a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2016, sustained while celebrating a wicket, and a broken finger in 2022 that required surgery.
As he prepares for what will be only his 53rd first-class match, Stone, who turns 31 in October, is optimistic about maintaining his fitness for the years ahead. Despite his injuries, he feels as strong as ever and is eager to continue playing.
In addition to his bowling, Stone has a chance to solidify his position as a viable No. 8 in the batting order. This summer has been his most productive, scoring 315 Division One runs at an average of 35.00, including three half-centuries and a career-best 90 against Somerset in June.
Stone mentioned that if he can contribute runs, it could strengthen his case for a long-term spot in the team. He acknowledged the difference between county and Test cricket but is motivated to perform well.
Stone has taken 11 Championship wickets at an average of 52.63 for Nottinghamshire this season, but his selection reflects England's preference for specific attributes over statistical averages. This same reasoning led to Josh Hull being called up as cover for Wood, with national selector Luke Wright suggesting that Sam Cook might have been selected if Chris Woakes had been injured instead of Wood.