Jamie Overton
Jamie Overton (born 10 April 1994) is an English professional cricketer who plays as a right-arm fast bowler and right-handed batsman, serving as an all-rounder for Surrey County Cricket Club in domestic cricket and representing England internationally across all three formats.[1][2] Standing at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m), he is renowned for his pace, power-hitting, and ability to contribute with both bat and ball, having debuted in first-class cricket for Somerset in 2012 before moving to Surrey in 2021.[2] On 1 September 2025, Overton announced an indefinite break from red-ball cricket, effectively stepping away from Test matches and first-class fixtures with immediate effect, though he continues to focus on limited-overs formats.[3] Overton's early career began in Devon, where he represented the county at youth levels and made his mark internationally by playing for England Under-19s in the 2012 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, claiming three wickets across three matches.[4] Progressing through Somerset's ranks, he made his List A debut in the 2012 Clydesdale Bank 40 against Surrey and his first-class debut later that year, earning a call-up to the England senior squad by the end of 2013 for an Ashes series against Australia, though he did not feature.[2] Injuries hampered his development, but he revived his prospects with a loan spell at Northamptonshire in 2019 before joining Surrey, where he played a pivotal role in their 2022 County Championship victory.[4] In white-ball cricket, Overton has excelled in The Hundred, earning Player of the Tournament honors in 2023 with Manchester Originals through explosive batting and effective bowling.[4] On the international stage, Overton received his Test cap (No. 706) from his twin brother Craig Overton before debuting against New Zealand at Headingley in June 2022, where he took four wickets and scored 97 runs in his only innings of the match.[5] His Test career spanned just two appearances, with his final outing against India at The Oval on 31 July 2025, after which injuries and form considerations limited further opportunities.[3] Overton expanded into limited-overs internationals in 2024, making his T20I debut (cap No. 104) against Australia on 11 September and contributing to England's campaign, followed by his ODI debut (cap No. 278) against West Indies on 31 October 2024; his most recent ODI came against New Zealand on 1 November 2025.[5] In the IPL, he joined Chennai Super Kings for the 2025 season at his base price of ₹1.5 crore, adding to his T20 experience with teams like Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.[6]Early life
Family and background
Jamie Overton was born on 10 April 1994 in Barnstaple, Devon, England.[2] He grew up in a supportive family environment in this rural part of southwest England, where the region's outdoor lifestyle and natural surroundings fostered an early interest in sports.[7] Overton's parents, Mark and Helen, provided strong encouragement for physical activities; his father, a local businessman and avid club cricketer, immersed the family in sporting pursuits from a young age.[8] Standing at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m), Overton's imposing height has been a key physical attribute, contributing to his natural ability to generate bounce as a fast bowler.[2] He shares this family passion with his twin brother, Craig Overton, who is also a professional cricketer playing for Somerset and has represented England internationally, underscoring the siblings' mutual support in their athletic development.[9][10]Introduction to cricket
Jamie Overton first encountered cricket at a young age through local clubs and school in his native Devon, beginning around the age of eight or nine while attending West Buckland School and playing for North Devon Cricket Club.[11][12] By his early teens, he had advanced to first-team cricket at Instow Cricket Club, demonstrating precocious talent in club and school fixtures that laid the foundation for his development.[2] His promise was quickly recognized at the county level, leading to selections for Devon Under-13s, Under-14s, and Under-15s teams, where he impressed scouts with his raw pace and all-round potential as a right-arm fast bowler and lower-order batsman.[13] These youth representative appearances highlighted early talent identification within Devon's age-group structure, paving the way for national opportunities. Along with his twin brother Craig, Overton benefited from familial encouragement during these shared youth competitions.[11] Overton's breakthrough came in 2012 when, at the age of 18, he represented England at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Australia, playing three matches including a standout performance against Australia where he bowled at speeds up to 93 mph (150 kph).[14][15] In the quarter-final against South Africa, he claimed 3 wickets for 22 runs in seven overs, contributing to England's five-wicket victory and progression in the tournament. These displays underscored his potential as a genuine express bowler.[16] That same year, Overton joined Somerset's academy system, having been part of their youth setup since around 2010 at age 16, which provided structured training and led to a two-year academy contract awarded in February 2012.[17][18] This progression marked his transition toward professional levels, with the academy environment honing his skills ahead of senior opportunities.[19]Domestic career
Somerset years (2012–2020)
Overton made his List A debut for Somerset in the Clydesdale Bank 40 on 4 May 2012 against Surrey at The Oval, taking 1 wicket for 21 runs in 4 overs and remaining not out on 8 runs off 21 balls as Somerset fell to a 105-run defeat.[20] His first-class debut followed later that month, from 16 to 19 May 2012 in the County Championship against the same opponents, where he claimed 2 wickets for 62 runs in 15 overs—including the key dismissal of Gareth Batty—and was dismissed for a duck in his only batting innings during a drawn match.[21] These early appearances highlighted his potential as a tall, right-arm fast bowler capable of generating bounce, though injuries and competition for places limited his immediate breakthrough. Overton's progression across formats continued with his T20 debut on 22 May 2015 against Sussex at Taunton in the NatWest T20 Blast, where he bowled 3 overs for 28 runs without a wicket in a five-run defeat.[22] By 2017, he had established himself in Somerset's T20 Blast side, contributing 15 wickets at an average of 22.46 across 14 matches, including a standout 4 for 23 against Gloucestershire that helped secure a vital win and aided Somerset's push toward the quarter-finals.[23] His all-round abilities shone in limited-overs cricket, with useful lower-order contributions, though first-class opportunities remained sporadic due to a deep Somerset pace attack and recurring back issues that sidelined him for significant periods. Seeking more regular action, Overton joined Northamptonshire on a one-month loan in May 2019, playing four first-class matches and taking 12 wickets at an average of 28.50, including a five-wicket haul of 5 for 78 against Sussex that provided crucial breakthroughs in Division Two.[24] The spell offered vital match practice amid Somerset's title contention, where his opportunities were constrained. In September 2020, with the Bob Willis Trophy underway, he moved on a short-term loan to Surrey, featuring in three matches and scoring a gritty 55 off 78 balls against Sussex to support a draw, while claiming 7 wickets overall at 32.14—performances that underscored his growing maturity as an all-rounder.[25] Frustrated by inconsistent selection at Somerset despite his talent, Overton requested a release in August 2020 to pursue greater opportunities elsewhere, paving the way for a permanent move to Surrey the following year.[26] Over his Somerset tenure from 2012 to 2020, he amassed 50 first-class wickets at an average of 37.2 across 55 matches, alongside 1,150 runs at 20.89 including four half-centuries, reflecting a promising yet injury-interrupted development phase that included brief inclusions in England Lions training squads.[2]Surrey career (2021–present)
Overton joined Surrey on loan during the 2020 season before signing a three-year contract ahead of the 2021 campaign, marking a permanent move after requesting a release from Somerset in September 2020.[27] Prior to his full transition, while still on loan with Surrey but playing his final match for Somerset in the Bob Willis Trophy, Overton scored his maiden first-class century against Warwickshire at Taunton in August 2020.[28] He made 120 runs off 92 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes, in a ninth-wicket partnership of 180 with Steven Davies (123 not out), helping Somerset declare at 413 for 9 and secure a dominant position en route to an innings victory.[28] This aggressive knock, coming at No. 10, underscored his growing all-round potential just before committing fully to Surrey.[29] Overton played a pivotal role in Surrey's 2022 County Championship title win, their first since 2002, taking 36 wickets across 10 matches at an average of around 25, with a career-best haul of 6 for 61 against Yorkshire at the Kia Oval.[30] He also contributed 355 runs with the bat, including useful lower-order cameos that supported the top order in key fixtures, such as a five-wicket haul (5 for 47) against Hampshire that sealed a resounding victory and bolstered Surrey's title push.[31] His pace and bounce were instrumental in Surrey's successful defense of the crown in 2023, where he featured in the title-clinching draw against Hampshire, adding seam movement in testing conditions.[32] In the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Overton maintained consistency in the Vitality Blast, providing explosive lower-order hitting and wickets for Surrey, though injuries limited his County Championship appearances to just four first-class games across those two years.[33] He was awarded his Surrey County Cap in 2024 during the fixture against Warwickshire at the Kia Oval, recognizing his contributions to back-to-back titles.[34] The 2025 season saw further restrictions due to back issues, with Overton playing only two County Championship matches before announcing an indefinite break from red-ball cricket in September to prioritize white-ball formats.[34] Despite this, he remained a key performer in the Vitality Blast, taking two wickets each in victories over Somerset and Sussex, contributing to Surrey's campaign that included booking a home knockout tie with a thrashing of Somerset.[35] Since joining Surrey, Overton has amassed over 150 first-class wickets for the county at an average below 30, complemented by a batting average exceeding 20 in lower-order roles, establishing him as a reliable all-rounder during the club's dominant Championship era.[36]Franchise and T20 leagues
Overton first gained prominence in franchise T20 cricket during the 2023 edition of The Hundred, where he was retained by the Manchester Originals and delivered a standout all-round performance across nine matches. He claimed 22 wickets at an economy rate of 8.18, including a best bowling figure of 3/16, while contributing 202 runs with the bat at a strike rate of 181.98, highlighted by an unbeaten 83 off 37 balls against the Northern Superchargers. These efforts earned him the Player of the Tournament award, underscoring his value as a pace-bowling all-rounder in the competition.[2][37][4] Transitioning to the Big Bash League, Overton joined the Adelaide Strikers for the 2023-24 season, where he took 16 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 8.50, including a four-wicket haul, and showcased his lower-order hitting with a strike rate exceeding 140. His impact led to a retention on a platinum contract worth A$420,000 for the 2024-25 season, during which he featured in several key games, maintaining an economy under 9 while adding useful cameos like an unbeaten 45 off 24 balls against the Brisbane Heat. This retention highlighted his growing market appeal in Australia's premier T20 league.[38][39][40] Overton extended his international T20 footprint with the Gulf Giants in the 2024 ILT20, playing seven matches and securing 10 wickets at an economy of 8.71, with a notable 3/24 against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders that helped defend a modest total. In the IPL auction later that year, he was acquired by the Chennai Super Kings for ₹1.5 crore ahead of the 2025 season, where he featured in three matches, adding 15 runs though without taking any wickets, and his campaign was curtailed by international commitments. Returning to The Hundred in 2025, Overton switched to the London Spirit, contributing in eight matches with 12 wickets at an economy of 8.45, including dismissing his twin brother Craig in a high-stakes encounter against Southern Brave. His occasional explosive batting, such as quick 30s in chases, further emphasized his all-round utility across these leagues.[41][42][6][43][44][45]International career
Selection pathway
Jamie Overton's pathway to international selection began in earnest during the COVID-19 disrupted 2020 season, when he was included in England's initial 55-man training squad announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on 29 May, comprising players permitted to resume training ahead of a potential international summer restart. This group featured 14 uncapped players, including Overton alongside his twin brother Craig, signaling early recognition of his potential as a fast-bowling all-rounder despite limited first-class experience at that stage.[46] Shortly after, on 17 June 2020, both Overtons were named in the narrowed 30-man squad focused on Test preparation, allowing them to train at Somerset's facilities under ECB supervision as part of the bio-secure protocols.[47] Overton's progression continued through involvement with the England Lions, the ECB's developmental pathway designed to bridge domestic and senior international cricket. He was selected for the Lions' tour of India in January-February 2019, where he featured in warm-up matches, honing his skills against subcontinental conditions.[48] This was followed by joining the Lions squad for a training camp ahead of their 2020 tour to Australia in January, participating in rehabilitation and skill-building sessions post-ankle surgery to maintain fitness for higher-level exposure.[49] By 2022, Overton was part of the Lions' pre-tour preparation in the UAE from 6-19 November, integrating with senior Test players like James Anderson for targeted pace bowling development ahead of the winter schedule.[50] These stints emphasized his growth in match readiness and tactical awareness, positioning him as a candidate for senior call-ups. A pivotal boost came in April 2022 through the ECB's initiative to monitor fast bowling speeds across domestic matches using radar guns, aimed at identifying pacers capable of sustaining high velocities for England's needs. Overton was recorded exceeding 90 mph (145 kph) during a County Championship game at The Oval, highlighting his raw pace and contributing to his rising profile among selectors.[51] This technical validation aligned with his strong domestic form for Surrey in the 2022 County Championship, where consistent wicket-taking performances helped propel the team to the top of Division One and directly influenced his first senior England Test squad inclusion on 16 June 2022 for the series against New Zealand.[52][53] Like his twin brother Craig, who had debuted in Tests two years earlier, Jamie's parallel trajectory underscored the family's emergence as a talent pipeline for English pace bowling.[2]Test cricket
Jamie Overton made his Test debut (cap No. 706) for England on 23 June 2022 against New Zealand at Headingley, Leeds, receiving his cap from his twin brother Craig Overton, as a replacement for the injured Mark Wood. Batting at number eight in England's first innings, he scored a career-best 97 runs off 136 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes, forming a crucial 209-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Jonny Bairstow to help England reach 360 and take a 31-run lead.[54] With the ball, Overton claimed 2 wickets for 146 runs across both innings of New Zealand's batting efforts, dismissing Devon Conway in the first innings and Tom Latham in the second.[54] England went on to win the match by seven wickets, securing a 2-1 series victory. Overton did not feature in any further Tests until July 2025, when his strong performances in limited-overs cricket earned him a recall to the squad for the fifth Test against India at The Oval. In that match, he opened the bowling in English conditions suited to his right-arm seam, taking 2 wickets for 98 runs in India's second innings, including the dismissals of Akash Deep and Dhruv Jurel during a tense chase.[55] His overall figures in the game were 2 wickets for 164 runs from 38 overs, complementing England's seam attack on a pitch offering variable bounce.[55] Batting twice, Overton scored 0 in the first innings and 9 in the second before being dismissed lbw by Mohammed Siraj, as England fell six runs short of victory in a dramatic finish.[55] By November 2025, Overton had played only two Test matches, capturing 4 wickets at an average of 77.50 and scoring 106 runs at an average of 35.33, with his debut 97 remaining his highest score.[56] His selection highlighted his utility as a seam-bowling all-rounder capable of exploiting overcast English conditions, though opportunities in the longest format remained limited.[2] Following this match, on 1 September 2025, Overton announced an indefinite break from red-ball cricket, ruling out further Test appearances.[3]Limited-overs cricket
Jamie Overton made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut (cap No. 104) for England on 11 September 2024 against Australia at Southampton, marking the beginning of his white-ball international career.[2] By September 2025, he had played 15 T20Is, contributing 54 runs at an average of 9.00 with a highest score of 19, while taking 15 wickets at an average of 17.80 and an economy rate of 8.22.[2][57] His bowling highlighted aggressive variations suited to the format, including two hauls of three wickets, with his best figures of 3/23 coming in the third T20I against India in January 2025, where he played a pivotal role in England's 26-run victory by dismissing key batsmen like Hardik Pandya.[58][57][59] In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Overton debuted (cap No. 278) on 31 October 2024 against West Indies at North Sound, quickly establishing himself as a versatile all-rounder.[2] By November 2025, he had featured in 10 ODIs, scoring 238 runs at an average of 26.44 with a highest of 68, and claiming 10 wickets at an average of 27.80, including a best of 3/22 against West Indies in May 2025.[2][60] Standout performances included a match-winning 68 off 62 balls against New Zealand on 1 November 2025 in Wellington, rescuing England from 97/6, and a gritty 42 off 28 balls in another encounter against the same opposition.[61] His contributions extended to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he scored 32 off 28 balls, including two sixes, against Afghanistan despite England's narrow defeat.[62] Overton's limited-overs career gained momentum through key series, such as the 2025 ODI tour of New Zealand—culminating in his final match on 1 November—and the T20I series against Ireland, ending on 21 September 2025 at Dublin.[2] These appearances underscored his all-round impact, blending pace bowling with lower-order hitting to provide balance in England's white-ball setups, with his prior Test experience offering additional depth to selections.[2]Playing style and records
Bowling attributes
Jamie Overton is a right-arm fast bowler renowned for his ability to generate pace through a high-arm action that leverages his 6 ft 5 in frame.[2] From his youth days at Somerset to his professional career, Overton has consistently bowled at speeds between 85 and 93 mph, with peaks exceeding 90 mph recorded during ECB radar gun trials in county matches.[51][8] His bowling repertoire includes aggressive short-pitched deliveries, such as sharp bouncers that exploit his height to intimidate batsmen, particularly in English conditions where the ball seams off the pitch.[63] Overton also employs swing bowling effectively in overcast English weather, pitching the ball fuller to encourage movement away from right-handers, though his tall release point sometimes challenges consistency in length.[64] In T20 cricket, he adapts by focusing on yorkers and hard lengths to target the stumps in the death overs, contributing to his success in franchise leagues.[65] Following his move to Surrey in 2021, Overton's bowling underwent significant refinement, including technical adjustments to his action under coach Azhar Mahmood, which improved his accuracy and control after years of inconsistency.[66] Post-2020, he participated in ECB pace development initiatives, building on earlier rehabilitation programs from 2017-2018 that addressed back stress fractures through action modifications and strength training.[67][68] Subsequent injuries, including stress fractures in 2023 and 2024, prompted further adaptations, such as extended net sessions during recovery to enhance workload management and pace maintenance without reinjury.[69] These changes culminated in a breakout 2022 season where he claimed 34 first-class wickets in 10 matches, helping Surrey win the County Championship.[27] Over his first-class career from 2012 to 2025, Overton has taken 239 wickets at an average of 31.67, establishing himself as a reliable strike bowler in domestic cricket.[70]Batting contributions
Jamie Overton is a right-handed batsman who operates primarily as a lower-order tail-ender in his role as a seam-bowling all-rounder.[2] His batting contributions have evolved into an aggressive, counter-attacking approach, particularly effective in accelerating the scoring rate during partnerships that complement his bowling efforts.[71] In first-class cricket, Overton has scored 2,410 runs across 99 matches at an average of 21.51, with his maiden century coming in August 2020 for Somerset against Warwickshire, where he smashed 120 runs off 92 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes, in a match-defining 180-run tenth-wicket stand.[72][71] This explosive innings highlighted his potential to rescue or propel innings from the lower order, though his overall first-class record reflects the challenges of batting low in the order. Overton's limited-overs batting emphasizes power-hitting, with a career strike rate surpassing 100, making him a valuable finisher in T20 formats where he has recorded a strike rate of 158.04.[73] In ODIs, he achieved his maiden fifty in November 2025 against New Zealand, scoring 68 runs to stabilize England's innings during a three-match series.[74] These contributions underscore his growing utility as a dynamic lower-order contributor in white-ball cricket.Career statistics and milestones
Jamie Overton reached his 100th first-class wicket during the 2022 County Championship season while playing for Surrey, marking a significant milestone in his bowling career.[2] In 2023, he was named the Men's Player of the Tournament in The Hundred for Manchester Originals, after scoring 202 runs at a strike rate of 181.9, including an unbeaten 83 off 30 balls in a key match against Northern Superchargers.[75] Overton secured an IPL contract in November 2024, signing with Chennai Super Kings for the 2025 season at his base price of ₹1.5 crore, where he played three matches and contributed 15 runs with the bat.[6] Following an indefinite break from red-ball cricket announced on 1 September 2025, his first-class statistics are considered complete as of that point.[3] His career highlights include a maiden first-class century of 120 against Warwickshire in 2020 and best bowling figures of 6/63 in a County Championship match against Kent in 2022.[70] In limited-overs cricket, Overton's standout performance came in the 2023 Vitality Blast, where he took 16 wickets at an average of 18.75.[23]First-class career statistics
| Batting | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 99 | 139 | 27 | 2410 | 120 | 21.51 | 3118 | 77.29 | 1 | 13 | - | - | 78 | 0 |
| Bowling | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 99 | - | 12909 | 7567 | 239 | 6/63 | 8/107 | 31.66 | 3.52 | 54.0 | 10 | 8 | 0 |
List A career statistics
| Batting | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 52 | 40 | 8 | 637 | 68 | 19.90 | 575 | 110.78 | 0 | 1 | - | - | 23 | 0 |
| Bowling | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 52 | 50 | 1976 | 2020 | 67 | 4/42 | 4/42 | 30.15 | 6.13 | 29.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
T20 career statistics (domestic and international combined)
| Batting | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 179 | 132 | 40 | 1601 | 83 | 21.06 | 1013 | 158.04 | 0 | 1 | - | - | 45 | 0 |
| Bowling | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 179 | 132 | 2377 | 3618 | 133 | 5/47 | 27.21 | 9.13 | 17.9 | 2 | 1 | 0 |