Middlesex have just boosted their bowling attack by signing England fast bowler Olly Stone on a two-week loan from Nottinghamshire. This exciting move comes right before the crucial final stretch of the County Championship season, and fans are already buzzing about what Stone can bring to the table.
The 31-year-old speedster, who has played for England in all three cricket formats, will join Middlesex for their last three matches. He kicks off with their Division Two showdown against Derbyshire at Lord’s on Tuesday. It’s a big moment for Stone, marking his return to first-class cricket after a knee injury sidelined him earlier this summer. He’s been sharp in limited-overs action though, featuring in four T20 Blast games for Notts Outlaws and two for London Spirit in The Hundred.
Middlesex’s Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, couldn’t hide his excitement in a club statement. “With the season winding down, our fast bowlers are feeling the strain, so grabbing someone like Olly – with his international pedigree – is a massive win for us,” Coleman said. “He’ll add top-quality skills and loads of high-level experience that our young players can learn from as we push to end strong. We’re thrilled to have him and can’t wait to see his impact over the next couple of weeks.”
Stone’s track record speaks for itself. He’s claimed 17 wickets in five Test matches for England at an average of 23.52, plus nine more in white-ball internationals. Since his first-class debut for Northamptonshire back in 2011, he’s snagged 174 wickets across 54 games, with his best haul being 8-80. He’s also bowled for Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire in the past, making him a seasoned pro in county cricket.
From Nottinghamshire’s side, Head Coach Peter Moores is equally positive about the loan deal. “This is a perfect chance for Olly to rack up some red-ball overs – his first since last summer,” Moores explained. “We’ve got plenty of seam options for our upcoming matches, and we want Olly to build up his match fitness after those strong white-ball performances this summer. A fully fit Olly Stone is gold for any team, and this stint at Middlesex should set him up nicely.”
Cricket enthusiasts will be keeping a close eye on Stone’s performances, especially as England fast bowler news like this could signal bigger things ahead in the international scene. With the County Championship heating up, Middlesex fans hope this loan signing turns the tide in their favor.
