Jamie Overton, who has been one of the best performers for Surrey this season in the County Championship, has joined brother Craig in the England Test squad for the third Test vs England.
ENG vs NZ: Jamie Overton joins twin brother Craig in England squad for third Test (AFP photo)
England handed over the first Test call-up to Surrey fast bowler Jamie Overton, who is Craig Overton’s twin brother, for the final Test of the 3-match series against New Zealand at home. Jamie has been included in the team in place of spinner Matthew Parkinson.
England lead the 3-Test series 2-0 with the final match to be held in Leeds from 23 June. England’s decision to add Jamie to the squad brings Overton back to the same team as they had when they went head-to-head in an English county championship match last week – a meeting that ended with Craig hitting him with a bouncer after Jamie hit him. .
No twins have played together for England at the highest level and the inclusion of Jamie Overton may not help change as England have yet to play Craig in the 3-match series. Jamie, 28, has been one of the best performers for Surrey this season, taking 21 wickets at an average of 21.61 in the County Championship.
However, the addition of an extra seamer suggests that England are looking to mix it up in the final Test after playing a 3 man pace attack with skipper Ben Stokes. James Anderson and Stuart Broad could be rested for the third Test.
England will look to rotate their players ahead of the final Test as they take on the all-important one-off Test against India in Birmingham, a spill over from last year’s incomplete 5-Test series, from 1 July.
Earlier this day, New Zealand batsman Devon Conway became the latest player in the guest camp to test positive for COVID-19 and isolate for five days, adding all-rounder Michael Bracewell and two others to the coaching staff. Have become.
England team:
Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brooke, Jack Crowley, Ben Fox, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Joe Root.