Olly Stone unavailable for second PAK vs ENG Test, to return England for his wedding – Reports

England pacer Olly Stone will miss the upcoming second Test of the three-game series in Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo report. The speedster will return to England on Wednesday before his marriage this weekend.

Stone was ignored for the opening Test in Pakistan despite picking up 17 wickets in five Tests so far. England picked debutant Brydon Carse in their playing XI, which allowed Stone to leave for his hometown earlier than planned. The 30-year-old Norwich player will return to Pakistan depending on the status of other English pacers.

As per ESPNcricinfo, Stone had discussed it with head coach Brendon McCullum and England’s managing director Rob Key before the tour. Speaking recently to the BBC, Stone said:

“We booked the wedding on the basis of me only playing for Notts at the time. Jess said she was happy to move the wedding and I was adamant on keeping it where it was if possible. For what she has given up and sacrificed for me, I thought the least I could do was to try and make it work."

Apart from Stone, the visitors have four pacers in their squad, with Carse, Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes part of the first Test. Matthew Potts is the fourth pacer in the squad.

“I’m really excited for him” – Joe Root wishes Olly Stone on his wedding

Joe Root has congratulated Olly Stone ahead of his wedding. The former England captain said (via ESPNcricinfo):

"It's a special time in anyone's life. I'm really excited for him. I'm sure he is all over the place with everything that's going on, but it'll be very special for him - and his wife - starting a different chapter in his life. We'll all be raising a cold water to him at some point, celebrating."

England Test squad to tour Pakistan: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

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