Warwickshire quick remains hopeful of making World Cup squad
Monday 14 January 2019 08:49, UK
Olly Stone is eyeing a Test debut in the West Indies, having developed his game training with England's senior players in Sri Lanka.
The Warwickshire seamer did not play a Test in Sri Lanka before Christmas as England secured a 3-0 whitewash with wins in Galle, Kandy and Colombo.
But Stone says he learned from working with Stuart Broad and James Anderson and is hopeful of proving that in the three-Test series in the Caribbean, which is live on Sky Sports from January 23.
"You learn a lot from the senior players. It's hard to come away without improving," said Stone, 25. "My mental game is getting better and my skills are topped up.
"It's more about training with a purpose, even if you just bowl two overs, make them up there with how you go in a match, being specific and making the most of your time.
"It would have been lovely to play but I learned a lot off the field and if I get a chance out here, I can show what I learned."
Stone impressed with his speed and hostility during the ODI series win over Sri Lanka in October - and says it would be "amazing" to now get a chance in the Test format.
"I'd love to have played in Sri Lanka, obviously, but the team did so well," added the paceman, ahead of England's first warm-up match against a CWI President's XI in Barbados from Tuesday.
"To win the series 3-0 means the sides they went in with were the right ones.
"I got my first one-day shirt signed by all of the lads as something to remember. I'll get it framed and on the wall - but a Test shirt to go next to it would be amazing.
"If not, I'll just work hard and try to take a lot away from my time in the nets."
Stone was left out of England's ODI squad to face the Windies later this winter, with fit-again David Willey returning in his place.
But the quick - who recently signed a contract extension with Warwickshire - is not giving up hope of making England's World Cup 15.
"It was disappointing to be left out but the boys have done so well over the last year and a half that they have earned the right to be in," he added.
"All it takes is someone to get injured or something and you're straight in there, so you never know.
"I'm working hard and I wouldn't say my chance is gone."
Watch England's tour of the Caribbean live on Sky Sports this winter, starting with the first Test in Barbados from Wednesday, January 23.
