Overton twins compete for debut

Somerset's twins Craig and Jamie Overton both have hopes of a championship debut against Lancashire at Taunton on Thursday - but only one of them is likely to be celebrating.

The Overton twins, who have recently returned from an England U19 one-day tour of Australia, are likely to be vying for only one place, which will bring mixed family emotions when Somerset's final X1 is announced shortly before the start of play.

Brian Rose, Somerset's director of cricket, has given no clues as to whether it will be Craig or Jamie who is preferred. Both have been named in a 12-man squad and a final decision on the team will be made on the morning of the match.

"We have had good reports about them from the England U19s' recent trip and they are in contention," Rose said. "We will make a decision on which of the twins plays shortly before the game when we have assessed conditions."

Jamie, a fast bowler, looks the probable starter with Craig, an allrounder, as 12th man.

The twins play for North Devon CC which is best known as the Instow base of David Shepherd, a former Gloucestershire cricketer and international umpire, and arguably Devon's most famous cricketing son.

Both Overton twins helped North Devon win the Devon Cricket League last summer and they played in the Devon team who became minor counties champions. They made their senior North Devon league debut at 13.

If they progress into the Somerset side, they will follow the twins Keith and Kevin Parsons, who represented the county together in the mid-1990s.

North Devon flourished during the 2011 season, though they were hit by the death of former player and umpire Bill Shepherd. He was the elder brother of David, who died in 2009 as the club's most renowned member.