Injury ends season for Overton

Somerset bowlerJamie Overton has suffered a stress fracture of the back and will miss the remainder of the 2016 season.

Overton left the field midway through an over in Somerset’s County Championship defeat to Middlesex last week and scans have revealed the extent of the damage.

The 22-year-old has taken 17 wickets in the County Championship this year at an average of 22.47, including an impressive five-wicket haul against Hampshire in June.

He had also played in all but one of Somersets T20 blast games before the injury, as they slipped to the bottom of the South Group table.

Somerset physiotherapist Jamie Thorpe said: “Jamie will begin a rehabilitation programme later in the autumn with a view to him making a full recovery and returning to cricket next season.”

The right arm quick had been called up to the England Lions squad for the tri-series against Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Pakistan ‘A’ but had to pull out of the squad last week.

Before realising the seriousness of the injury Overton had said “It’s really frustrating because I feel I’ve been playing well for Somerset recently.”

“It’s now just a case of working with the medical team to make sure I come back as good as new.”

Overton’s twin-brother Craig missed the majority of the 2013 season due to a stress fracture, but his return to the game and subsequent call-ups to England ODI squads alongside his brother, should give Jamie confidence that once he returns to full fitness he can be back to his best quickly.