Fast bowler Olly Stone has been ruled out of England’s Test series against the West Indies due to a back injury.

Stone reported the problem shortly after arriving in the Caribbean. He was consequently not considered for selection for the warm-up fixtures prior to the first Test – and will soon return to the United Kingdom.

The tall, 25-year-old Stone hasn’t yet been capped at Test level, but impressed during October 2018’s four ODIs against Sri Lanka.

Seamers Jamie Overton and Jamie Porter are in contention to be named as his replacement.

The veteran Stuart Broad took a hat-trick against the Cricket West Indies President’s XI on Wednesday, which yielded 19 wickets for England.

‘Those five or six overs in the afternoon were as good as I have felt for a long time. The important thing was the new run-up. I have slightly shorter strides and hit the crease hard. The first spell was just about getting used to it out in the middle,’ said Broad.

The fixture, which also featured helpful half-centuries for captain Joe Root and Ben Stokes, ended in a draw.

The English will play the Cricket West Indies President’s XI again later this week in Cave Hill. Three Tests in Bridgetown, North Sound and Gros Islet will follow.

Batsman Darren Bravo has been included in the West Indies’ squad for the first Test.

Bravo has not played the longest format of the international game in over two years after a fallout with Cricket West Indies.

Late last year’s recalls to the ODIs and T20I squads, though, paved the way for a return to Test competition.

Uncapped batsmen John Campbell and Shamarh Brooks have been included – and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph recalled amid recovery from a back injury.

Photo: Getty