The fast bowler has benefited from the series-ending injury of Mark Wood.
In the absence of the injured Mark Wood, England’s X-factor face Ollie Stone will be playing his first Test match in three years.
Wood will miss the series against Sri Lanka with a thigh injury, while Stone, who has a history of frequent injuries, has been named in the XI for the second Test at Lord’s from Thursday.
The 30-year-old’s inclusion is the only change from the England team that won the series opener by five wickets last week and is an encouraging return for a bowler who has endured numerous setbacks.
Stone ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while celebrating a wicket, suffered multiple stress fractures in his back and required two metal screws to strengthen his spine.
Most recently, a recurring hamstring problem ruled him out of most of 2023 and dashed his Ashes hopes, but he has made six appearances for Nottinghamshire in the Vitality County Championship this year.
“It’s definitely nice to be back, it’s good to be back in that environment and I’m enjoying every minute of it,” said Stone, who made the last of his three Test appearances in June 2021.
“Unfortunately, as a bowler you’re going to have injuries here and there. My whole career has been a frustrating, stop-start cycle.
“This year in particular, I tried not to look too far ahead. I love playing the game, and I knew that if I went out there and performed like that, this call might come.
“Thank goodness it happened, and I’m going to go out there and enjoy every moment and play with a smile on my face.”
Stone insisted that despite his constant bad luck, he was always focused on getting back into the Test team rather than pursuing the less taxing T20 opportunities.
“It feels really good to get the victory after four or five days of hard fighting,” Stone said.
“That’s something that white-ball cricket can’t give you. I’ve always said one of the reasons I took that particular surgical route to fix my back was to get back to playing Test cricket.
“I never thought about giving up. If my body gave up then I might have to step back, but fortunately I found a way and I can go out there again wearing the England shirt.”
Stone boasts a quick tempo and could be the fastest bowler this week, but he has been reluctant to tout himself as a direct replacement for Wood, who reached 97mph this summer.
“The way he bowls is pretty scary,” Stone added.
“It’s disappointing that he’s been dropped, but the way he’s come out and bowled this summer has been very exciting.
“Hopefully, I can go out there and try to match his speed. He’s obviously one of the fastest guys in the world, so I don’t know if I can keep up, but I’ll try hard.”
