Stone’s a Test case

OLLY STONE is being driven by a burning ambition to resume his Test career and make an Ashes debut next year.

The England fast bowler has had multiple injury issues but has discussed a Test return with England captain Ben Stokes and hopes to be selected for the trip to New Zealand in February.

“I’ve spoken to Stokesy and just said how I want to still play Test cricket, I’ve still got that hunger,” said Stone, 29.

“One of the main reasons why I went down the surgical route with my back was to be able to hopefully withstand that amount of cricket and demand on my body.

“After Christmas there’s a combination of whiteball cricket and franchise cricket that hopefully I can keep my loads up and get me in a place that I can put my hand up and be selectable for Test cricket.”