Craig Overton admits injury might deny him a chance to feature in Boxing Day Test

England bowler Craig Overton is doubtful for the upcoming Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on December 26 in the ongoing Ashes series. The visitors have already lost the Ashes in the recently concluded third Test in Perth at the WACA. Overton played the last Test in a losing cause carrying the injury to his rib. However, he is the only shining light so far for England on this tough tour so far in the last two Tests.

The youngster made his international debut in Adelaide for the day-night affair and replaced Jake Ball after England lost the first Test in Brisbane. He also displayed his skills with the bat and saved the blushes for his team after the batting line-up was collapsed. Though the injury to him now is a severe jolt to their side as the poms target to avoid the whitewash now for the second consecutive time down under.

Overton hopeful of a turnaround

Craig Overton was hit in the ribs by a Pat Cummins bouncer during the second Test in Adelaide but played in Perth and exaggerated it to a certain extent. “We’re going to assess it over the next couple of days. Melbourne might be a push but it’s still an option to play at the minute,” he told the BBC sport on Tuesday. He also felt that his team can still make a comeback in the series in the last two games of the series and hoped that the victories can turnaround their fortunes on the tour.

“It’s looming in the background but we’re still pretty confident that we’ve competed in this series and we’re not far off winning games, they’ve just performed better for longer periods. We’re still fighting to get that result and show everybody what we can do out here. It’s tough, obviously they’re a good side in their home conditions and their bowlers are suited to playing out here with the pace they’ve got. We need to find a little bit more in our side and score a few more runs and take a few more wickets,” the 23-year-old added.

The Somerset bowler was excited that he was settling into the side and equally disappointed with the fact that he was injured at the wrong time in his career. “I’m starting to grow into the side and it’s disappointing with my rib but I still feel I’ve got the confidence that I can perform at this level. As a kid growing up I always wanted to be a batter that bowls, obviously my bowling is quite a way ahead of my bowling at the minute but I’m still doing a lot of work and trying to score those lower order runs which are crucial.”I’d like to bat six or seven but at the minute eight or nine is probably my position,” he concluded.