Olly Stone returns home for wedding, unlikely to play in second Test against Pakistan

Olly Stone is expected to return home on Wednesday from England's tour of Pakistan for his wedding this weekend, making it unlikely he will be available for the second Test in Multan. Stone took seven wickets in two Tests against Sri Lanka at the end of the English summer, marking his first appearance in the format in three years. Brydon Carse was chosen as England's quickest option for the first Test in Multan, allowing Stone to leave earlier than originally planned.

The date of Stone's return remains uncertain and depends on the status of England's fast bowlers after the first Test. However, with his wedding taking place on Saturday and the second Test starting on Tuesday, his participation is in doubt.

England chose Carse, Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes as seamers for the first Test, with Matthew Potts also in the squad.

England management approved Stone's leave as he was not included in recent central contracts and his wedding had been planned long before he was recalled.

Stone discussed his plans before the tour with England chief executive Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum and they agreed that he should return home for his wedding.

“We booked the wedding on the basis that I only played for Notts at the time,” Stone recently told the BBC, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“Jess said she was happy to postpone the wedding and I insisted on keeping it where it was if possible. For what she gave up and sacrificed for me, I thought the least I could do was try to make it work,” he added.

In an earlier era, seamer Tony Pigott postponed his wedding at short notice to take part in his only Test during England's 1984 tour of New Zealand.

More recently, contracted players have also postponed weddings due to scheduling conflicts.

Joe Root mentioned on Saturday that he and his wife Carrie had postponed their wedding “three times due to different tours.”

Former England captain Joe Root said Stone would leave the tour with the best wishes of his teammates.

“It’s a special time in everyone’s life,” Root said, according to ESPNcricinfo.

“I'm really happy for him. I'm sure he's completely beside himself with everything that's going on, but it will be very special for him – and his wife – to start a new chapter in his life. We will.” “Everyone will serve him some cold water and celebrate at some point,” Root concluded.