Craig’s Lions tour ends early due to ankle injury

Craig Overton’s tour of South Africa with England Lions has come to a premature end, following the reoccurrence of his ankle injury.

Craig will return to Taunton this week to manage the injury which dates back to last September.

Ben Langley, the ECB national lead physiotherapist who is with the Lions on tour said: “Craig’s ankle issue requires further investigation which can be best achieved back in the UK under the care of the Somerset medical team and supported by the ECB.”

Somerset physio Jamie Thorpe added: “It’s unfortunate for Craig but it’s imperative that we investigate this ankle condition further so that he is fully fit for the 2015 domestic season. The ECB medical team have been fantastic with their ongoing support to both Craig and Somerset CCC.”

The Devon-born all-rounder had been selected for both the first-class and one-day legs of the Lions tour, after already spending much of the winter in South Africa as part of an England Performance Programme (EPP) fast bowling training camp.

It’s not all bad news for the Overton family though as Craig’s twin brother Jamie will be making the reverse journey next week as he heads for Potchefstroom as part of the ECB Potential England Performance Programme bowling group. He is one of six young fast bowlers who will spend three weeks working on strength, conditioning and bowling with a group of ECB coaches led by the former Durham seamer Neil Killeen, and including for the first time Jason Kerr, Somerset’s assistant and bowling coach.

Jamie will also be joined by county teammate Lewis Gregory, with Gloucestershire’s Craig Miles, Matt Hobden of Sussex, Northamptonshire’s Olly Stone and Harry Podmore of Middlesex completing the group.