Olly Stone to miss at least England’s first Ashes Test due to hamstring injury

Olly Stone faces a battle to be fit for the second half of this summer’s Ashes series after scans pointed to a “five to six week” absence with a hamstring injury.

The England fast bowler, 29, pulled up with an injury during Nottinghamshire’s Division One match with Lancashire at Trent Bridge last weekend and it is understood he has been ruled out of the first Test at Edgbaston that starts on 16 June.

Though capped just three times by England in Test cricket, Stone’s pace meant he was earmarked as one of three outright quick bowlers for the five-match series against Australia along with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Ben Stokes, who has requested fast, flat pitches, was hoping to use them on rotation as the team’s third seamer.

But with three weeks to go until the one-off Test against Ireland that starts on 1 June – and five until the first Ashes Test – Wood appears the only member of the trio who is currently fit. As well as Stone’s injury, Archer has returned from the Indian Premier League early after reporting discomfort in his right elbow, which is an ongoing issue.

We're with you, Olly