England has called up all-rounder Jamie Overton for the fifth and final Test against India, a recall that comes with an interesting backstory involving a famous anecdote from India’s Ravichandran Ashwin.
Overton Returns to Test Arena
Jamie Overton, the Surrey all-rounder, has been added to England’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Test match at The Oval. This marks a significant return for the 31-year-old, who has only played one Test in his career so far.
His sole Test appearance was back in 2022, where he impressed with two wickets and a valuable 97 runs against New Zealand at Headingley. Overton also featured in three games for Chennai Super Kings in the last IPL season, showcasing his all-round capabilities.
The ‘Spiked Shoes’ Story Recalled by Ashwin
Overton’s inclusion brings back a fascinating story shared by Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Last month, Ashwin recounted an incident from his county cricket days, where he observed Overton’s unusually long shoe spikes.
According to Ashwin, one of Overton’s shoes had as many as 15 spikes, with one spike being exceptionally long – “as long as his index finger.” When questioned, Overton reportedly explained that these specific shoes were used to create rough patches on the pitch, aiming to aid spinners later in the game.
“We don’t even have the concept of such shoes in our country,” Ashwin had stated on his YouTube Channel, highlighting the unique approach to pitch preparation in county cricket.
England’s Squad for the Decider
Apart from Overton’s addition, the rest of the 14 players from the previous Test have been retained in the squad. This indicates a desire for continuity, with Overton providing an extra all-round option.
The full England Test squad for the fifth match includes: Ben Stokes (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
Series Context and Stokes’ Injury Concerns
The previous Test between England and India concluded in a stalemate, with India dominating the final day’s play. Centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar helped India push for a result, though the match ultimately ended in a draw.
England captain Ben Stokes has also hinted at playing the final Test despite carrying an injury. Stokes, who bowled 11 overs in the last game, has been battling pain in his right bicep tendon. He famously remarked that “pain is just an emotion,” but also acknowledged the need to manage his team’s bowling resources.
- Jamie Overton returns to England’s Test squad for the final match against India.
- Overton previously played one Test in 2022, scoring 97 and taking two wickets.
- Indian spinner R Ashwin once revealed Overton’s use of unusually long shoe spikes to create rough patches on pitches.
- England has largely retained its squad, with Overton being the only addition.
- Captain Ben Stokes is expected to play despite a bicep injury.
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the series at The Oval, with both teams looking to finish on a high.
