Olly Stone will miss England’s Test series against India and Zimbabwe this summer due to a 14-week rehabilitation period after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Although he was selected for the winter Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand, Stone didn’t feature in either series despite claiming seven wickets in two home Tests against Sri Lanka last year. During Nottinghamshire’s preseason tour in Abu Dhabi last month, he started experiencing increasing discomfort in his right knee.
He will now begin his recovery, working closely with medical staff from both the ECB and Nottinghamshire, after further scans this week confirmed the need for surgery.
Olly Stone Ruled Out of England’s Entire Summer Test Season Due to Injury
Stone will consequently be unavailable for all six Test matches this summer, beginning on May 22 with Zimbabwe’s one-off Test at Trent Bridge his home ground and followed by the five-match series against India. However, he remains hopeful of making a full recovery by August, when he is set to represent London Spirit in the Men’s Hundred. His return to the Test side last summer had marked his first outing at that level after three injury-ridden years, making this yet another unfortunate setback.
He made his debut at Lord’s against Ireland in 2019, but managed to feature in only two Test matches against New Zealand and India in 2021. Over the next three summers, recurring back stress fractures limited his appearances, though he did go on to earn 11 white-ball caps during that time.
When he returned home from Pakistan for his wedding this winter an event planned well before his recall to the England setup Stone missed a valuable chance to cement his place in the Test squad. As the English season begins, his injury adds further pressure to England’s fast-bowling reserves.
Mark Wood has already been out for four months following knee surgery, while his Durham teammate Brydon Carse is managing a persistent toe issue. Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes is still recovering from hamstring surgery and is aiming to be fit in time for the Test against Zimbabwe.
