Uncapped fast bowler Craig Overton is confident of donning the England Whites for the opening Ashes Test scheduled to start in Brisbane in less than a fortnight’s time.
He impressed all and sundry with his bowling performance against a Cricket Australia XI during a tour game ahead of the Ashes and especially with the injury woes that England has suffered off late, Overton is in contention to fill the fast bowler’s slot left vacant by Steven Finn and Jake Ball.
While Finn couldn’t even take part in the tour game, Ball sprained his ankle during the tour game and had to sit out for the rest of the game. Overton during an interview with Sky Sports said despite being hopeful of making his Test debut in Brisbane, he wants to take it step by step and not get overly excited after his impressive performance in the tour game.
“It is still a work in progress, but I am taking that as it comes. I think there is always going to be massive pressure on the bowling, even if we had everyone fully fit. The people who are fit are going to have to step forward and make the most of it. It is just making sure that I bowl the best I can when I get the chance and hopefully, that is good enough.
“I feel confident that it is good enough, so it is just making sure I take the chance when it comes,” Overton added. England plays another practise game at the Townsville ahead of the Ashes, and Overton feels a competitive game will be ideal ahead of the Ashes opener.
“You would obviously like to face probably a little bit quicker bowling and get used to what we are likely to face in the Test match,” said the tall, fast bowler.
“But that is the way it goes sometimes. I think we would all like a harder game, but we might play well and win easily again. It is just making sure when we play we are on top and dominating the game.”
England’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, James Anderson was very impressed with Overton’s performance and backed him to come good if he gets a chance in the eagerly anticipated five-match series.
“I’ve been very impressed with Craig. He’s a big lad, gets plenty of bounce and he’s very skilful too.”
“He can swing the ball, seam the ball and he brings something different to the team. He’s settled in really well,” Anderson said.
Making his first-class debut for Somerset in the 2012 County Championship against Lancashire, he went on to play seven first-class matches bagging 12 wickets at an average of 30.25. His maiden first-class century also came in his first season but barring that particular inning he was pretty mediocre and just managed 75 runs at an average of 10.71.
He was unable to play all through the 2013 season due to a stress fracture, and in his only match, he managed to bag a solitary wicket. He played his first international cricket for England U-19 between 2011 and 2012. He played 16 youth ODI’s and scored 350 runs at an average of 26.92 and also bagged 14 wickets at 35.57.
He received his first international call-up in 2015 when he was brought in as a cover for Chris Jordan for the 3rd ODI against New Zealand. He was also named in the T20I squad for the series against South Africa this year and finally made his first Test squad for the Ashes against Australia.
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