Olly Stone considering Test retirement after frequent tussle with injuries

Frequent battles with injuries have left Olly Stone frustrated as the England fast bowler is contemplating retirement from Test cricket at the age of 28. The pacer made his debut in the longer format back in 2019 against Ireland at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. However, he has only played three Tests in his career, picking up 10 wickets with best bowling figures of 3/29.

Back in June, Stone was ruled out of the remaining season due to stress fracture on his lower back. The speedster sustained the injury during England’s home Tests against New Zealand. Scans showed that Stone suffered a third stress fracture in his injury-marred career. The Norwich-born seamer won’t also be a part of the Brits’ away campaign against Australia in the Ashes.

This time I felt like I’d done everything, says Olly Stone

Stone said that having given himself the “best possible chance” to play Test cricket again, he’s not sure if he wishes to do the hard yards yet another time.

“I’ve given myself the best possible chance of doing everything I can to play Test cricket, and if it means I can’t, it would sit right with me if I have to call it a day in the longer format,” Stone was quoted as saying while speaking on BBC’s Project Ashes podcast.

“If I’m being honest, I’ve had to properly think hard about whether I want to try and get back out there and do it again.

“This time I felt like I’d done everything I can off the field: diet, nutrition, even just getting fitter and stronger. In the past I thought it might have been a factor to why it [injury] was happening,” he added.

Apart from three Tests, Stone has also taken part in four ODIs, picking up a solitary wicket. He was also in contention to play England’s home ODIs against Sri Lanka, but he couldn’t make the cut because of his stress fracture. He last played the 50-over format for the Brits back in 2018.

In 44 first-class, 30 List A and 51 T20s, Stone has picked up 150, 24 and 48 wickets respectively. Stone last played competitive cricket back in June during the home Tests against the Black Caps.