Give tough guy Craig some love, says Swann
CRAIG OVERTON showed his commitment to the Ashes cause by battling through a gruelling day despite suffering a hairline fracture of a rib. According to Graeme Swann, he was crying out for some love and support.
The Somerset seamer could not add to his two first-innings wickets yesterday, but the fact he was out there at all was testament to his commitment after earlymorning scans revealed a crack in the ribs.
The injury was caused when he attempted to take a return catch the previous evening.
The 23-year-old was sent for a scan before play on the third morning and, although it showed up a hairline fracture, it did not prevent him taking the field dosed up on painkillers.
He went on to bowl 13 overs, taking his overall figures to 23-1102-2, and caused a rare moment of excitement amongst the travelling support when he threw down the stumps at the bowler’s end. It was doused, however, when they realised Steve Smith had comfortably made his ground.
Overton’s plight was also noted by Swann, the former England off-spinner who was disturbed by the poor team spirit on show from England’s senior players as Overton toiled in vain (and pain).
Swann tweeted: ‘Craig Overton was bowling with a broken rib! Not a single one of the batsman went up to him and put an arm around him...’
Overton, playing his second Test match, won praise for his bravery from assistant coach Paul Farbrace.
‘It’s been tough for him,’ said Farbrace. ‘He’s obviously found it tough going but he’s shown a lot of guts by being in the field.’