Ashes 2019 | Craig Overton added to England roster as James Anderson ruled out from remainder of Ashes
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England have called up Craig Overton to the Ashes squad for the penultimate Test in Manchester after James Anderson was ruled out for the rest of the Ashes. The Somerset pacer has returned to the Test squad for the first time since March 2018 when England played New Zealand in Auckland.
Despite playing in the first Test against Australia in this Ashes, Anderson only managed to bowl four overs before suffering pain in his calf, having picked up the problem playing for Lancashire in a division one game against Durham. When England were comprehensively beaten in the first Test Anderson's absence was heavily felt. However, ahead of the fourth Test at his home ground in Manchester, it has emerged that the English pace spearhead would miss the Ashes altogether. That, however, came across as good news for a certain pacer from Somerset as Overton has been added to the roaster.
The pacer was playing in the Lancashire's seconds in a three-day friendly against Leicestershire to prove his fitness and even bowled as many as 20 overs on the first day against Durham 2nd XI at Chester Boughton Hall. However, while delivering his ninth over on Thursday, he felt pain in his right calf and was subsequently assessed by England's medical team which ruled him out of the Ashes.
To fill the void, England called Craig Overton who played only three Tests so far in his career. Overton returned to the Test fold for the first time since March 2018 when England played New Zealand in Auckland. In the ongoing County Championship games, he has 32 wickets, averaging 21.34.Â
After England's win at Headingley, where they squared the series 1-1 with a one-wicket win, the hosts will take on Australia in Manchester from September 4.
Squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
