After a chat with former England national coach Ed Smith, Craig Overton says he has added more rhythm and skill to his bowling; Seamer has starred for Somerset in national cricket and now hopes to regain the test against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
Craig Overton says he is faster and more skilled as he aims to return to test action against New Zealand.
Ed Smith is no longer England’s national coach, but something he said could still be of great benefit to them this summer.
Towards the end of 2019, Somerset closer Craig Overton asked Smith what he needed to do to become a more regular member of the England test team.
What Smith told him – the essence is adding a yard of pace without sacrificing consistency – was taken into account by Overton and his form on the ball since then has been surprising.
He earned 11 wickets in total when the England Lions were undefeated in Australia in the 2019-20 winter, including six scalps in the unofficial Test win over Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Then, after a stint in England’s bubble last summer, he won 30 wickets in six games for Somerset in the Bob Willis Trophy, the most for an Englishman, averaging 13.43.
This season at the LV = Insurance County Championship, he has claimed 36 in six games, the most by any bowler, averaging 12.86.
As Overton looks to add to his four test matches, the last of which was against Australia at Emirates Old Trafford in September 2019, the 27-year-old is feeling faster and more skilled.
“When I spoke with Ed Smith, he gave me some ideas to work on,” Overton said. Sky sports, before joining the England party in London on the Friday before the first tryout starts at Lord’s on June 2.
“I went and tried to put them to use, even in the bubble last summer, learning from two of the best bowlers in England, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
“I brought that form to the games last year and then I brought it to this year as well. Hopefully I can continue with England if they select me.”
“You can get into the rhythm sometimes because obviously you still need that control. Hitters can play 90 mph pretty easily if that’s all you have.
“You need to be able to move the ball and I think I’ve added more skill to what I had before, as well as that bite.”
“Pacing-wise, I lengthened my run to allow me to get more momentum in the fold and theoretically carry more speed. My cleaner action then allows me to swing the ball, so it’s really been a double.
Overton has also played a role as the No. 7 and No. 8 batter for Somerset, scoring 54 against Gloucestershire and 74 against Hampshire this term, following scores of 66 and 45 not eliminated in the final loss of the Bob Willis Trophy of the year. past Essex in Del Señor.
As England ponder how to balance alongside them in the absence of all-star off-roader Ben Stokes, who is recovering from a broken finger, Overton says he would have no qualms about hitting No. 7 if the team wants to enter with five bowlers. .
“That’s what I’ve done for Somerset and I want to contribute the bat.
“Growing up, I was always a pitching hitter, so I’ve been trying to make sure I have more opportunities to hit and make the most of them.
“I haven’t scored those great runs yet. I’ve contributed consistently, which is what you want to do, but I need to keep working to get those great runs.”
Should Overton get the nod against New Zealand, his aim will be to improve on a test book that says: played four, lost four.
Overton has certainly offered glimpses of his talent in his test run to date, taking four wickets on his debut at the 2017 Ashes showdown in Adelaide, including Steve Smith being his first scalp in the format.
Later that winter, their undefeated 33rd in Auckland was by far England’s best individual score, as they only shot 58 in a pink ball game against New Zealand.
Then a battle inning against Australia in 2019 looked like it could lead England to secure a draw and keep the Ashes alive, before he was the last man out, against Josh Hazlewood, by 21 of 105 balls.
So, there have been cameos, but Overton now feels it can make a more consistent brand.
