Green-tinged pitch puts Craig Overton in line for England recall

Craig Overton has emerged as a strong contender to play in the second Test against New Zealand, with a green-tinged pitch increasing his chances of a Test recall.

Overton’s last Test for England was in Grenada in March. In eight Tests, the Somerset seamer has taken 21 wickets at an average of 36.2 apiece.

As well as the pitch, Overton’s lower order runs are another advantage. With Matthew Potts at number eight, England fielded a notably long tail in the opening Test at Lord’s. Overton has a first-class average of 21 and would be certain to bat at eight if selected.

A keenness not to over-exert their seamers could also count in Overton’s favour. Ben Stokes only bowled around 10 balls in the nets at Trent Bridge today, before pulling up with what appeared to be a sore side.

While Stokes had several sessions batting and is certain to play, his bowling workload might need to be managed carefully at Trent Bridge, increasing the appeal to select four specialist seamers alongside Stokes.

If England did retain a specialist spinner in their attack, Jack Leach remains in contention to play as he gradually steps up from sustaining a concussion in the field within the opening hour of the Lord’s Test. Leach first bowled on Tuesday but England are cautious about not rushing him back into the side. Leg spinner Matt Parkinson replaced Leach as a concussion substitute at Lord’s, claiming Tim Southee as his maiden Test wicket in the second innings.

Meanwhile, seamer Ollie Robinson is set to miss both the third Test against New Zealand and next month’s Test against India. Robinson had an injection in his back last week, and will undergo an MRI scan on his back next week. He is not expected to bowl for at least another three weeks.

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