Stone's freak injury rules him out for the season

Olly Stone, one of England's most promising pace bowlers, has made an ever-more unfortunate entry in the ranks of cricket's oddest injuries. He is now expected miss the rest of the season after damaging an anterior cruciate ligament during a wicket-taking celebration.

Stone, 22, fell awkwardly after leaping skywards in delight at having Moeen Ali caught behind in Northamptonshire's NatWest Blast tie against Worcestershire at Northampton on Friday. After falling, he attempted to finish his over, but collapsed in his delivery stride and was carried off the field.

Any brief sense of amusement at Stone's predicament dissipated even further when scans revealed the serious extent of the injury. Stone, afflicted by injuries during a disrupted and occasionally devastating career, has suffered a "compact knee injury with anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage involvement". He has now been referred to a specialist surgeon.

Stone's season has been relatively unspectacular. He has taken six wickets in three matches in Division Two of the Specsavers Championship and three wickets in three NatWest T20 Blast fixtures.

Northants' small squad has been stricken by injury and they may be forced to look for further reinforcements to get through the season.