Olly Stone optimistic about his England future ahead of possible Test selection in Sri Lanka

The 27-year old could make his second Test appearance when England face Sri Lanka in Galle after injuries stall promising international career

Olly Stone is optimistic about his future in the England set-up but remained non-committal regarding his possible selection for the second Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to start on January 22.

Chris Silverwood labelled the 27-year old seamer "exciting" in a press conference earlier in the week, while also suggesting that he could be in line for his second Test cap with squad rotation crucial in the humid conditions.

However, Stone refused to be distracted by the hype, instead focussing on his long-term future in the side.

Quizzed on whether his press conference on Wednesday (January 20) was confirmation of his place in the starting XI, Stone replied: "I’m still not sure yet [if I’ll be playing]. Selection hasn’t been finalised. Obviously, I’d love to say yes but I’ll just have to wait and see how training goes tomorrow.

"I’d love to play every game. Obviously, that’s not going to be possible but I’d love to get my opportunity. I’ve had a taste of it [Test cricket] against Ireland and I’d love to play as many games as I can.

^{Olly Stone celebrates taking a wicket during an inter-squad match in South Africa in November 2020}

"If it’s here, great; if it’s in India, great. If it’s next summer then that’s obviously a little bit frustrating but it’s just great being here and learning, and I’ve got to remember I’m still young in my international career."

It’s been a tough 18 months for the Warwickshire seamer who has been plagued by injuries since making his Test debut for England back in July 2019. However, Stone is confident that he has put the injuries behind him and praised fellow seamer, Mark Wood, for supporting him through the tough times.

"Picking up injuries along the way isn’t ideal," he said. "Being a fast bowler, it’s going to happen and it’s has been frustrating. There have been times where you question whether it’s the right thing to do but I love playing cricket, I love playing for England and hopefully there’s many more to come.

"The more games you play, the more confident you get and just being out here training, the intensity is high. To get through that and the tour before Christmas to South Africa was pleasing for me.

"Me and Woody [Mark Wood] are quite close and we do chat about how our bodies are. You’re always going to be a little sore after having a bowl but now it’s knowing what’s serious and what’s something you can manage. I find it easier to talk about because people have been through the same thing and can ease your nerves."

Stone is also feeling positive about his ability to adapt to a new supporting role in the sub-continent, where spinners, rather than seamers, have the advantage.

"We always thought coming here that the spinners would play the attacking role," he said. "You’re used to being the attacking bowler whereas over here you have the holding role. We can just sit at the other end and create pressure. It’s a different challenge but one we love.

"Although the pitches aren’t seamer friendly, you saw in the first innings [of the first Test] that actually there is a little bit in the surface and if we lose the toss and bowl first, there’s a great chance for Broady [Stuart Broad] and Jimmy [Anderson] to take early wickets and make a massive inroad into their order."

Sri Lanka v England, second Test: All you need to know

However, despite the promising signs from the first Test and England’s routine seven-wicket victory, Stone is expecting a difficult match in Galle.

"You didn’t expect them to produce a score like that first innings and they showed in the second innings that they can put runs on the board and make it tough,” he said. “The chase was probably a bit more nervy than we’d have liked but it sets up for an exciting last Test match."