‘Ferrari’ Stone out to rev up England’s attack in Sri Lanka
OLLY STONE smiles when reminded he has been dubbed a Ferrari among fast bowlers, but is keen to prove he warrants a place on the podium when England embark on their own Sri Lankan grand prix. Stone, 24, is the great pace bowling hope fast-tracked into the one-day and Test squads with the intention of providing the X-factor in England’s attack. And he wants to live up to the billing given him by Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles by bowling upwards of 90mph — and staying fit. ‘There were a few little jokes after Ashley said that, with the Warwickshire lads calling me Enzo,’ said Stone after Eoin Morgan’s England arrived here for a five-match 50-over series. Stone was arguably the fastest bowler in English cricket last season, taking 34 championship wickets at just 12 runs apiece, but two years ago he snapped his anterior cruciate ligament while celebrating the wicket of Moeen Ali. ‘I was told I might never get back to where I was and there were dark times,’ admitted Stone. ‘I just jumped in the air and as I landed I hyper-extended. Silly old me then tried to bowl another ball. That’s where the problems came from.’ Now he’s aiming to speed his way into England’s white and red-ball teams. SURREY swept the board at the Cricket Writers’ Club awards yesterday. England allrounder Sam Curran, 20, claimed the prestigious Young Cricketer of the Year prize, title-winning captain Rory Burns was named County Championship Player of the Year and Nat Sciver took the Women’s Cricket award.