Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) overseas signing and England all-rounder Jamie Overton has decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket. This came as a shock to England white-ball captain Harry Brook, even though Overton made it clear that white-ball cricket is now his prime focus.
"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,” Overton was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“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,” said the man who has so far played 99 First-Class matches, with the last one coming at the Oval against India.
Overton, who was playing as an all-rounder, got out for 9 off 17 balls and was unable to see his team home in an intense chase on the final morning. England lost that game by 6 runs and the series was levelled 2-2.
Speaking about his opinion on why he chose white-ball cricket as his priority, Overton said, "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."
Brook, who is leading the England white-ball squad for the ODI and T20I series at home against South Africa, felt that it was a bit shocking, but was also happy that a real all-rounder in every sense, Overton, would have a singular focus going forward.
"A little bit shocked to be honest. I thought he did well in that last Test. He bowled quickly. Obviously, you've got to respect that decision. Hopefully, at some point we'll see him again in the future,” was Brook’s first reaction.
"When he is fully fit and firing, he bowls thunderbolts, and he can whack it out of the park. Hopefully, he can upskill even more from what he's got now and be the best white-ball player he can be,” added the English captain.
Overton has played only two Tests for England, scoring 106 runs and taking four wickets in them.