Did Middlesex Secure England Pacer Olly Stone on Loan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Middlesex has signed Olly Stone on a short-term loan.
- Stone will play in the final three matches of the County Championship.
- This marks his return to first-class cricket after a knee injury.
- Stone brings valuable international experience to the team.
- Expectations are high for his performance in the upcoming matches.
London, Sep 7 (NationPress) Middlesex has officially confirmed the acquisition of England fast bowler Olly Stone on a short-term loan from Nottinghamshire for a duration of two weeks, just as the County Championship season reaches its critical stage.
The 31-year-old Stone has represented England across all three formats and will join Middlesex for their last three matches, commencing with a Division Two showdown against Derbyshire at Lord’s on Tuesday.
This upcoming match will mark Stone’s first appearance in first-class cricket since his recovery from a knee injury that sidelined him earlier in the summer. He has since participated in four games during the T20 Blast with the Notts Outlaws and two matches in The Hundred for London Spirit.
“As we approach the season’s end, the demands on our fast-bowling lineup naturally increase, making it invaluable to bring in someone of Olly’s established international caliber to reinvigorate our squad for the County Championship finale,” stated Alan Coleman, Middlesex’s Director of Cricket.
“His addition not only enhances our quality but brings significant experience that our younger players can learn from as we aim to conclude the season on a high note. We are eager to welcome Olly to the club and are excited to see his contributions over the next two weeks,” Coleman added.
Stone has played five Tests for England, taking 17 wickets at an average of 23.52, and has also secured nine wickets in white-ball internationals. Since making his first-class debut for Northamptonshire in 2011, he has amassed 174 wickets in 54 matches, boasting best figures of 8-80. He has previously played for Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire.
“This presents a significant opportunity for Olly to gain competitive experience with the red ball for the first time since last summer. We are fortunate to have a range of seam bowlers available for our upcoming matches, and we want to ensure Olly gets the best chance to regain his rhythm after impressive performances in white-ball cricket this summer. A fit and ready Olly Stone is a valuable asset for any team, and we are confident that this short stint at Middlesex will serve him well,” said Peter Moores, Head Coach of Nottinghamshire.