Spicy sibling rivalry firing the Overtons
They could be the first twins to play a Test for England - but there have been bumps and bruises along the way
CRAIG OVERTON attempts to play down, in true ‘older brother’ style, the effects of a bouncer delivered by twin Jamie that struck him on the head and left him pole-axed.
‘i would say he did me for lack of pace,’ smiled Craig, the senior Overton by three minutes. ‘i was through the pull shot too early.
‘no, it was quick. then, when i came back out to bat after retiring hurt, he bowled his fastest delivery of the day to me. that was a nice welcome back but i sort of expected it.’
the incident came when the Overtons played against each other for the first time in the County Championship at taunton last week. now they are back together preparing to become, if both make the final cut, the first male twins to play test cricket for england.
they were reunited at Headingley yesterday in practice for tomorrow’s third Lv= insurance test discussing their sibling rivalry and their chances of making history should england throw in the rapid Jamie for his debut alongside the more established Craig.
But first that exchange in Somerset where they once played alongside each other, until Jamie left to try to further his england aspirations with Surrey.
it was one that led to Craig being diagnosed with concussion but not before he had, maybe unwisely, returned to the fray to renew hostilities.
‘i have not faced him much,’ continued Craig. ‘We were always told to avoid each other in the nets because it could get a bit spicy as we tried to outdo each other. We were usually put in different ones at Somerset, which was probably wise.
‘that was the first time i’d faced him in a proper game. i knew a bumper was coming at some point and it was his second ball that clocked me on the head.
‘But it was good fun. i enjoyed the challenge. it’s not often you face bowlers at 90 mph.’
So were you concerned when you struck your brother at 90 miles per hour, Jamie?
‘absolutely,’ he said. ‘Most fast bowlers don’t intend to hurt people. the game was just starting to drift away from us a little bit so i was trying to make him feel uncomfortable.’
Jamie certainly did that and earned the praise of their dad Mark, who tweeted how proud he was of his two ‘little ’uns’, who both happen to stand at 6ft 5in.
‘He obviously didn’t like seeing Craig on the floor but he would have told us off if we weren’t giving our all,’ said Jamie. ‘it’s always 100 per cent whatever we do. We’re quite feisty and if you get us into battle i’m not going to be the one who backs down.’
the Overtons, 28, will take to Headingley together tomorrow should england rest both Jimmy anderson, who was carrying a minor leg injury at the end of the second test, and Matthew Potts, who has had a big workload for Durham this season and in his first two tests.
the possibility of captain Ben Stokes missing out through illness might also open the door to one of the no-nonsense brothers from north Devon. alternatively, they could be competing for one slot at no 8.
‘it’s been like that since we were 16 years old,’ said Craig. ‘We were competing for the same spot in my first game of first-class cricket and i ended up playing and Jamie missed out. We said to each other before we found out: “Whatever happens we’ll be supportive” and we’ve always been like that. We want what’s best for the team.’
But Jamie couldn’t help adding:
‘it’s always been that one has been ahead of the other and then the other’s caught up. it sounds horrible but if this means i catch up and go one step ahead of him, that would be amazing.’
Spoken like a true aspiring ‘younger’ brother.