Overton thrives in Somerset success
A SUPERB all-round display from Devon-born Craig Overton inspired Somerset to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over Hampshire as his side wrapped up a fourth LV= County Championship Group Two win at the Ageas Bowl yesterday.
England pace man Overton, who is the top wicket-taker in the country, took five for 66 from a mammoth 40 overs as Hampshire were dismissed for 258 yesterday, putting himself firmly in contention for selection for next month’s Test series against New Zealand.
Overton was also the top scorer in the match with 74 on Friday and finished with overall figures of seven for 82, with Josh Davey also playing a significant role in the triumph by taking five for 30 on the final day.
The defeat was Hampshire’s second successive heavy loss following last week’s innings and 289-run humbling by Surrey, having started the season strongly by winning two and drawing one of their first three matches.
Although the hosts batted with much more gumption to pass 200 for the first time in four innings, their pitiful day-one effort of 79 all out left them with too much do against their in-form opponents.
Somerset skipper Tom Abell hailed the performances this season of Craig Overton (pictured below), saying: “He is bowling as well as I have ever seen him bowl. He is some cricketer.
“He has become a real leader in the side and I guess he’s recognising that he wants to win games for us and is such a big part of this team.
“It’s not just his bowling, it’s how he is in the field, with the bat, but the way he is bowling is phenomenal. He is bowling with good pace, great skill and great energy from his first over until his last over. I cannot speak highly enough of him.”
Hampshire skipper James Vince said: “We fought really well. Obviously, being on the wrong side of the toss, if we had put on another 80 in the first innings, it might have been a bit closer to par on day one and it could have been a different game.
“In terms of today,” he added yesterday, “we fought really hard and with the weather that came we were probably only 15 or 20 minutes away from saving the game. But that is twice we have started poorly in matches and it is a long way back from there.”