Jamie Overton: England all-rounder steps back from Test cricket

England all-rounder Jamie Overton has announced he will take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket, thus ruling himself out of this winter's Ashes series.

Overton, 31, played in the fifth Test against India at The Oval in July but does not believe his body can sustain playing all formats.

The Surrey pace-bowling all-rounder has a history of back stress fractures which has limited him to only two Tests.

"At this stage of my career across a 12-month calendar, it is no longer possible to commit to all formats at every level, both physically and mentally," Overton wrote on Instagram.

"Going forward my focus will be on white-ball cricket and I will continue to give everything to play at the highest level for as long as I can."

While Overton will not have been the first name on an Ashes team-sheet, his decision is significant as he would almost certainly have been part of England's plans for their trip to Australia.

The England hierarchy, notably coach Brendon McCullum, are admirers of Overton and his Test recall for The Oval came ahead of others, such as Durham's Matthew Potts or Essex's Sam Cook, who had played for England more recently.

He went wicketless in the first innings but took 2-98 in the second and had catches dropped off his bowling in an admirable effort with England a bowler down after an injury to Chris Woakes.

It is understood he had a shoulder issue in the week afterwards.

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