SL v ENG 2018: England's Olly Stone eyeing World Cup 2019 call-up

Olly Stone says its a "Dream Come True" for him to play for England after injury.

Olly Stone receives his first ODI cap from Darren Gough | Twitter

England’s latest pace sensation, Olly Stone, is living up his dream of playing for his country, having made international debut in Sri Lanka last week after being ravaged by an injury two years back, said that he would "love to" play in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil.

The Warwickshire paceman had to miss 18 months of cricket after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in 2016. Now, Stone is hoping that the whirlwind journey continues with a World Cup appearance on home soil next year.

The 25-year-old was handed debut cap in the first One-day International in Sri Lanka but got the opportunity to bowl for the first time in an international match in England's 31-run Duckworth-Lewis-Stern win in the second ODI in Dambulla. In his debut match, Stone who can regularly touch 90mph, took 1 for 23 in six overs for England, getting Niroshan Dickwella caught behind off a ferocious bouncer.

Stone told reporters ahead of third ODI, “It's been crazy. When I got injured, if someone had said that two years later you'd be playing for England, I would have snapped their hand off. It is a dream come true. It's been a whirlwind few months and I'm just loving it.”

The pacer further added, “It is always a nice feeling to see them (batsmen) ducking and diving. I am trying to figure out when to go all guns blazing and when to hold back a little bit. I guess there is a little bit more to come. I just run in and see what happens. If more comes then great.”

On bowling on pitches in the sub-continent, Stone noted, “It's tough given the conditions, trying to figure out how your body will handle it, and not wanting to go all guns blazing at the start and blow out. I've tried this year to go a little bit up and down the gears to try and look after my body. I have had a few injuries. That has been something I've worked on.”

He signed off by saying, “I’d love to [play in the World Cup]. I’ve come into this tour not really knowing what to expect but the boys have been great and there is an opportunity to try to put your foot in the door.”

(Input: ESPNCricinfo)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 16 Oct, 2018

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