STONE ON MISSION TO ROAR FOR LIONS
OLLY Stone says he hasn’t gone to South Africa to carry the drinks for England.
The seamer has had shocking luck with injuries in recent seasons. You name it, he’s had it — two stress fractures in his back, a side strain and a hamstring tear have all left him on the sidelines.
But now he’s fit and firing with a mission to get back into the England one-day picture.
He is not part of the T20 squad but has a live chance of getting some action in the 50-over games that follow the big bashes.
And he has done well in the warm-up game when England have been playing against themselves due to the constraints of their bio-bubble.
Stone said: “I’d never just wait for an opportunity.
“I want to go out there and keep trying to bash that door down and go out there to impress.
“I go out there and try to give my all, showcase what I can do and if the captain and coach like the look of it, that’s great. If not I’ll keep working hard to get my opportunity.”
Impress
Stone insists the games between the squad have been played just as hard as a normal warm-up match.
He added: “I think the competitive nature in us all came out in that first warm-up.
“You all want to impress and there was a bit of banter flying around out there.
“It was a good laugh but it was taken seriously and with a competitive edge.
“It is a bit different to what you’re used to normally, coming out and playing a touring side, but the effort from the boys, the skill level and the competition between us can only help us prepare for what’s to come.”
Stone says his body is in good shape and he is keen to make up for lost time and win his place back in Eoin Morgan’s starting XI.
He said: “I feel in a great place, I’ve obviously had those injuries in the past but hopefully they are in the past now and no longer.
“It’s the nature of fast bowling to pick up niggles but it’s just finding a way to manage them. I feel great and I’m ready to go.”