Craig Overton has replaced fellow paceman Chris Woakes in England’s XI for the fourth Ashes Test in Manchester.
England have made one change for the fourth Ashes Test, recalling Craig Overton in place of Chris Woakes.
Overton made his Test debut in the 2017-18 Ashes at Adelaide Oval, where the the prized scalp of Steve Smith was the first wicket of his career.
The 25-year-old hasn’t played Test cricket since facing New Zealand in March, 2018.
Joe Root says the paceman’s bounce will be a big asset at Old Trafford, where both teams are gunning for a 2-1 series lead.
“It gives us a slightly different option,” Root said.
“An extra little bit of bounce, a taller bowler.
“He’s a competitor. We saw him come into Ashes cricket on debut and straight away he looked very much at home. He got himself in a battle and I expect him to do just that this week.”
Australia skipper Tim Paine described Overton as a “very good cricketer”.
“He’s a big tall boy, extracts a bit of extra bounce,” Paine said.
“He’ll certainly be a handful when he gets it right. Fortunately a few of us have seen him last time around.
“So we know what to expect, he’ll be a slightly different proposition with the Dukes ball.”
England’s pace depth has been depleted this series because injured trio Jimmy Anderson, Mark Wood and Olly Stone are unavailable.
England XI
Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root (capt), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Jofra Archer, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach.
George
Guest
Woakes is far superior to Overton.
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Overton V Woakes ? strange? Mind you I would say, more importantly,"who's won the toss?"
JamesH
Roar Guru
This is the most un-English pace attack I can recall. Not one swing bowler amongst them.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Agree. They havent been backing him , to England’s detriment. He can now have a break and head off to Joe Burns place for a cup of tea to watch the rest of the ashes , all the while wondering how it all came to this.
U
Roar Rookie
What the hell is the problem they have with Woakes? He’s been underbowled the last two games. Root doesn’t seem to trust him for some reason. Yet his record in England is outstanding
Cari
Roar Rookie
It seems we are going to using a bouncing war and I’m not convinced it’s going to work; I would have included Sam Curran who is young but is a thinking bowler and a better bat. But we’ll see.