England all-rounder Jamie Overton has taken an indefinite break from red-ball cricket with immediate effect. The announcement was made by the Surrey-based cricketer on Monday, 1 September.
Having made his debut in 2022, Overton has played only two Tests so far in his career, the most recent appearance coming earlier this year against India at The Oval. Last year, the 31-year-old returned to the limited-overs set-up and was eventually recalled to the Test side as well. He hasn’t played much red-ball cricket; prior to The Oval Test, he had made only four first-class appearances for his county since the start of 2024. Currently part of England’s all-format plans, Overton cited workload management as the reason behind his decision.
“After a great deal of thought, I have decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket. I feel extremely fortunate to have played 99 first-class matches, including two Test matches for England. Red-ball, first-class cricket has provided the foundation for my professional career and has been the gateway to every opportunity I’ve had in the game so far. It’s where I learned the game, and it fuelled the goals and ambitions that have driven me for so long. However, at this stage of my career, with the demands of cricket across a 12-month calendar, it’s no longer possible to commit fully to all formats at every level, both physically and mentally. Going forward, my focus will be on white-ball cricket, and I will continue to give everything to play at the highest level for as long as I can,” Overton wrote in his post in social media.
With the Ashes just a few months away, this is a setback for England. Overton’s height and extra pace would have been a valuable asset. The selectors will be hoping he makes himself available for selection again in time for the Ashes.
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