When England take on New Zealand in a two Test series next month, Olly Stone will be hoping to add to his three caps having not played a first-class game since his last Test in June 2021.
After that Test, Stone suffered a fourth stress fracture of the back and was forced to undergo a "last resort" operation he hoped would save his Test career. Stone had two screws inserted into his lower spine and appears to have recovered well, making his England return in the shorter formats late last year.
18 months on, he has the chance prove both his fitness and quality against New Zealand ahead of the Ashes, with the 29-year-old England's sole express quick with Mark Wood rested after a busy winter and Jofra Archer cautiously beginning his own return from injury.
