Olly Stone: Back from injury at the right time, for me and Northants

Obviously it’s not been an ideal start for the side in the T20 Blast, losing our first three matches, but with the games coming up now there is a good block of cricket ahead. Hopefully I can push my way back into the team and make an impact now that I have recovered from the injury that ruled me out of the previous match. 

Getting back in the side after picking up an injury is something that I am really looking forward to, and at only 21 I’m very fortunate to have got to the stage that I am at now. I made my debut for Northants back in 2011, and being only 17 it was lovely while gaining experience over the last four years has only helped me to develop as a cricketer.

My successful spell in South Africa back in 2013 is nice to reflect on as well, when I was captain of England under-19’s and took 11-79 on one occasion, so if I am struggling I tend to look back at the good times so far and then look at what I’m doing now. Other than that I just concentrate on the games coming up and just try to perform well.

We are very fortunate here at Northants, as we are a young squad the opportunities we get that we might not get elsewhere make me feel privileged to be playing here as a first team regular. I just enjoy what I do and I am always grateful for the opportunity to play cricket here.

If I can put in good performances that start to get noticed over time you just never know what could happen regarding a call-up to the England squad. With the changes in personnel that are happening at the moment in the England set-up and providing I have a successful season for Northants, those involved with the national side could take notice. One possibility could be to get on an England Lions tour and from there on anything would be possible. At the moment it is probably a bit too early but hopefully in 2 or 3 years’ time an England call-up could be more likely.

It’s great to have David Willey getting called up and makes me think that could be me one day, and hopefully I do get the chance to represent my country as it is definitely something we here at Northants all want to achieve.

The T20 match on Thursday looks promising, another decent crowd should turn up like last Friday and I just hope that we can get over the line. We were unlucky to lose against Warwickshire with a good performance from the team but hopefully I will be able to make an impact and ensure we get back to winning ways.

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