Olly Stone will return home from England’s tour of Pakistan on Wednesday to prepare for his wedding this weekend. Unfortunately, this means he is unlikely to make it back in time to be considered for the second Test.
After taking seven wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka at the end of the English summer, Stone made his return to the Test format after a three-year hiatus. However, with Brydon Carse chosen as England’s pace option for the first Test in Multan, which began on Monday, Stone has the opportunity to leave earlier than anticipated.
The specifics of Stone’s return remain uncertain and may depend on the status of England’s fast bowlers following the first Test. Given the short timeframe between his wedding and the second Test on Tuesday, it seems unlikely he will play. Carse, along with Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes, has been selected for the first Test, while Matthew Potts is also in the squad.
England’s management has expressed support for Stone’s decision to leave Pakistan, especially since he was not part of the latest central contracts and his wedding had been planned well in advance of his call-up. Before the tour, Stone consulted with Rob Key and Brendon McCullum—England’s managing director and head coach, respectively—and they agreed that he should go home to tie the knot.
“We booked the wedding when I was only playing for Notts,” Stone shared with the BBC. “Jess offered to change the date, but I wanted to keep it as planned. Considering everything she has sacrificed for me, it was important to make it work.”
In the past, players like Tony Pigott had to postpone their weddings on short notice for cricket commitments. Recently, contracted players have also had to reschedule weddings due to tour conflicts; Joe Root mentioned he and his wife Carrie rearranged theirs three times due to various tours.
Root expressed support for Stone’s decision, saying, “It’s a special time in anyone’s life. I’m excited for him. He must have a lot on his mind, but this is a wonderful moment for him and his wife as they start a new chapter together. We’ll all be raising a glass to celebrate him at some point!”
As Olly Stone prepares for this significant life event, his teammates wish him all the best as he embarks on this new journey.
