England fast bowler Olly Stone revealed on Friday (November 19) that he is considering retiring from Test cricket due to a recent back injury that has ruled him out of the upcoming Ashes series in 2021-22.
Stone – who last played a Test for England against New Zealand at home in Jun 2021 – underwent surgery to insert a screw into a stress fracture in his back in July, which ruled him out of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, leaving him worried about his Test cricket future.
Following his latest back injury – the third time he has suffered a stress fracture in his back – the 28-year-old Stone had the choice of playing only white-ball cricket for two years to strengthen his bones or having surgery. He played 3 Tests for England after his debut in July 2019.
Stone told the BBC: “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.”
He signed off by saying, “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 (the injury) was happening.”
Noteworthy, apart from three Tests, the Warwickshire bowler has also played four one-day internationals for England and managed 10 Test wickets and one ODI scalp.
(With Reuters Inputs)
