2017 Overton sure he’s banished inner demons
TWO YEARS ago, Craig Overton’s anger issues threatened to wreck his career. Now the Somerset fast bowler stands on the brink of making his England debut in the biggest series of them all.
In the absence of star allrounder Ben Stokes, Overton looks the favourite to fill the final bowling slot in England’s XI for the Ashes series opener in Brisbane, starting on November 23.
It follows a road to redemption that has seen the 23-year-old confront his inner demons with the help of a psychologist to curb his on-field ill-discipline.
The results have been plain to see, with Overton’s 46 wickets for Somerset last summer earning him a seat on the plane to Australia.
Overton was a long way from international contention when, in September 2015, he was reported to the ECB’s discipline commission for using racially insensitive language to Sussex’s Ashar Zaidi during a County Championship match at Hove.
It was an accusation Overton denied and, although he was cleared of the more serious racial abuse charge, he was found to have used abusive language and banned for two matches after racking up his third offence in a year. That proved a turning point, with Overton cleaning up his act on the field with the help of Somerset coach Matthew Maynard and psychologist Abbie Kench.
“I’ve calmed down the last couple of years and I think what happened has made me realise you can’t go on acting like that,” he said.
“It’s matured me a bit, which I’m really happy with and I’ve moved on from that.
“It was a massive turning point. It was not just that incident but the whole summer where there were a few instances.
“It was just making sure that I switched on because that’s not how you behave on a cricket field. That is one thing I’ve learnt with my psychologist – you can’t act like that and I’ve found ways of dealing with it.
“Matt Maynard was using her for some of the coaching staff and he just asked if I wanted to go see her and I was really happy to. She did a lot of work with me.
“I don’t want to lose the edge. It’s just finding the right balance and not going too far. There’s times I do still push it a bit and then the older guys in the side say, ‘Just keep it in check’. But it’s definitely less often now, which is good.”
Yet could the red mist descend again in the heat of Ashes battle, especially with Australia’s reputation for sledging?
“I wouldn’t have thought so, no,” said Overton. “It’s just part and parcel of cricket. They will try to make the most of it but that’s the
way it is sometimes. You’ve just got to respect that and not give it back but try to take it and use it for yourself.”
Overton has impressed since the squad arrived in Australia and has edged ahead of Jake Ball in the pecking order. He is not overawed by the thought of making his debut at the Gabba.
“There’s a good chance I’m going to be playing, so it’s making sure I’m going to be ready if selected for that first Test,” he said.
“You can’t be too fearful of it. You’ve got to enjoy it and make sure you make the most it. Playing Test cricket for England doesn’t last forever, so you’ve got to make sure you enjoy it as much as possible.
“I have progressed nicely in the past couple of years so it feels like the right time and I can take my chance if it comes.”