Jamie Overton out of Ashes amid 'indefinite break' from red-ball cricket

Jamie Overton, the England and Surrey fast bowler who was a permanent member of the Test squad during this summer's series against India, has announced an "indefinite break from red-ball cricket". The decision effectively rules him out of this winter's Ashes campaign, a development that has left his white-ball captain and Test team-mate, Harry Brook, "shocked".

Overton, 31, played the second and last of his two Tests at The Oval in July, claiming two second-innings wickets in England's thrilling six-run loss. His previous match had come at Headingley in 2022, when he made a match-turning 97 in partnership with Jonny Bairstow, in the first summer of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's stewardship of the England team.

Despite his infrequent appearances, Overton was a near-certainty to feature in England's Ashes squad, given his sturdy build, strong action and ability to bowl at 90mph - all attributes that the selectors have been identifying in their bid to win in Australia for the first time since 2010-11.

However, in an interview with the Telegraph, he spelt out his reasons for the shock decision, saying that at this stage of his career, it was "no longer possible to commit fully to all formats at every level, both physically and mentally". He will be in Australia this winter, but as part of Adelaide Strikers' squad in the Big Bash, a team with whom he has spent the past two seasons, and for whom he was named MVP earlier this year for his haul of 11 wickets and 191 runs at 95.50.

"After a great deal of thought, I have decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket," Overton said. "I feel very fortunate to have played 99 first-class matches, including two Test matches for England. 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.

"However, 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."

Overton is currently at Headingley, as part of England's white-ball squad, with their first ODI against South Africa coming up on Tuesday. Speaking on the eve of the match, Brook admitted he was taken aback by the announcement, and its timing.

"A little bit shocked to be honest," Brook said. "I thought he did well in that last Test, he bowled quick. Obviously you've got to respect that decision that he's going to have a little bit of a break from red-ball cricket. Hopefully at some point we'll see him again in the future.

"I'd heard rumours but I hadn't heard it from him until today. You've just got to respect the decision, he obviously doesn't feel like he wants to play red-ball cricket at the minute and we can't do anything about it. He's made the decision now but it's unfortunate. I thought he did really well in that last Test match and it would have been nice to have him there in the Ashes."

From his perspective as white-ball captain, however, Brook acknowledged that the singular focus could be of benefit to his team. "Absolutely," he said. "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."

Overton had only played once in the County Championship for Surrey this season before being recalled to the Test squad. Overall, he has made four first-class appearances for his county since the start of 2024, with injuries limiting his availability.