Speedster Stone’s absence from 2nd Test adds to England’s woes

London: England fast bowler Olly Stone will miss the second Ashes Test against Australia after being ruled out for at least two weeks with a back injury.

Stone, who suffered the injury in training on Tuesday, joins fellow pacemen James Anderson and Mark Wood in being ruled out of the Lord’s Test, which starts on Aug.14.

“It’s really disappointing for Olly that he’s been ruled out of action for such an important two weeks of cricket because of a reoccurrence of his back injury,” said Warwickshire sport director Paul Farbrace.

Jofra Archer, who has also suffered with a side strain in recent weeks, is expected to replace Anderson for the second Test after England crumbled to a 251-run defeat to open the series.

Archer took six wickets and hit a century for Sussex’s second XI on Tuesday to press his case for a Test debut.

Stone, 25, took three wickets on his first Test appearance against Ireland last month and was in the squad for the first Test at his home ground Edgbaston, but did not play.

The third Ashes Test at Headingley begins on August 22, making Stone’s availability for that match highly unlikely.

Meanwhile, England’s record wicket taker Anderson is determined to return to the team before the Ashes series with Australia ends in September he told     The Sun     on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test, which starts next Wednesday at Lord’s, after injuring his right calf having bowled just four overs in the series opener at Edgbaston as Australia romped to a 251-run victory.

Anderson, who has taken 575 Test wickets, had not played competitive cricket for a month leading into the match after injuring the same calf playing for Lancashire.

“I’m pretty confident I can get over this, I want to keep going,” said Anderson.

“The plan is to get back and play some part in The Ashes but, if that doesn’t work out, the winter (tours to New Zealand and South Africa) is absolutely on my radar.

“I’m sure there will come a point where other bowlers either get injured or need a rest.

“If one needs to be replaced, it might work out well if I can get myself fit and help towards the end of the series.”

Anderson, whose place at Lord’s is likely to be taken by young paceman Jofra Archer, said injuries were part and parcel of his advancing years.

“I’m at the age now when there’s a chance injuries will happen more,” he said.

“It’s something I’ve got to prepare for. But I’m very fortunate -- I’ve been lucky with having so few throughout my career.”

Anderson, who is nicknamed ‘The King of Swing’, said he felt awful watching from the sidelines as the England attack struggled against the Australians especially in the second innings.

Agence France Presse