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The England cricket team has been handed a massive setback as they are set to miss the services of pacer Olly Stone due to an injury. The Three Lions, who will kickstart their 2025 summer against West Indies in a limited-over series followed by a historic Test match against Zimbabwe, will then host India. During the early summer, the Ben Stokes-led Three Lions will miss the services of Olly Stone, especially during the five-match Test series against India, which is set to commence from June 20.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday, April 4 confirmed that Olly Stone will remain out of action for 14 weeks following scans and subsequent surgery, which is scheduled for this week. Things aggrevataed for the Nottinghamshire pacer after increased discomfort in his right knee.
Olly Stone to miss five-match Test series vs India
In a statement released by ECB, they stated, "Stone experienced increasing discomfort during Nottinghamshire’s pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi last month. Further scans conducted this week revealed the need for surgery." The cricket board also added that he will begin rehabilitation and will be working closely with the ECB medical team on his recovery.
“He will now begin a period of rehabilitation, working closely with the medical teams at both the ECB and Nottinghamshire. As a result, Stone will miss the start of the English summer but is targeting a return to full fitness by August 2025,” the statement further added.
As a result of the same, Stone is likely to be out of contention for the Test series, which will be held from June 20 till August 4. Speaking of the right-arm quick, Stone has so far featured in five Tests for the Three Lions, where he has picked 17 wickets at an economy of 3.93 and an average of 23.52. He last featured in the England colours in September 2024 when the side registered an eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka.
