Wales Cricket Board: England’s seam-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton has announced that he will be taking an indefinite break from red-ball cricket with immediate effect to focus on playing the shorter formats.
Overton, who has represented Surrey and Somerset in 99 first-class matches and played two Tests for England since his debut in 2022, said the decision was made after much consideration. The decisions also mean that Overton will not be a part of England’s squad for the all-important Ashes, starting on November 21 in Perth.
"After a great deal of thought, I have decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket. I feel very 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 learnt 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 said in a statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday.
"After a great deal of thought, I have decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket. I feel very 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 learnt the game, and it fuelled the goals and ambitions that have driven me for so long.
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Rob Key, England Men’s Director of Cricket, said the decision came as a surprise but was respected by the management. “Jamie’s news came unexpected and it is sad to see, as he would have been part of our red-ball plans for the foreseeable future. That said, it serves as a reminder of the cricketing landscape we now operate in. We respect his decision and are grateful to him for informing us when he did,” he said.