13 Feb 2012
Craig Overton back training after Bangladesh tour
Craig Overton was back at theCounty Ground on Sunday training along with the rest of the Somerset Academy members, after returning from his successful tour to Bangladesh with the England Under 19 squad.
At the end of the one day series the 17 year old all rounder, who hails from North Devon ended fifth in the batting averages with 113 runs at 22.60 with a best of 36 and claimed seven wickets from his 36.1 overs at a cost of 28.28 each to end fourth in the averages.
During a break in the training the right hand batsman, who opened the bowling in the six matches he played in talked about his most recent experiences with the Under 19s.
“Just before Christmas I went out toSouth Africawith the England Under 19s squad to a training camp for three weeks and I have just returned from a one day series against Bangladesh where I scored some runs and took a few wickets so it went pretty well for me out there.”
“Bowling wise I would have liked to have taken a few more wickets, but with the way the wickets are out there seamers aren’t really expected to take wickets, so thought I did pretty well and I scored some runs at the end so was quite pleased with that side of my game too.”
“I managed to play in six of the seven games and missed out on one because I was sitting an exam, so I think that I managed to cope pretty well!”
“We faced a lot more spin out in Bangladesh than we do back here in England so I started to get used to playing against it whilst I was out there so it was a good experience for me and will prepare me well for facing spinners back at home.”
Craig is now in his second and final year on the Academy at the County Ground about which he said: “The Academy has been a great help to me and I have learned a lot in the time that I have been part of it. I have received a lot of help with my batting from Greg Kennis and on the bowling side Jason Kerr has helped me a great deal this year.”
Looking ahead Craig said: “I have got a few more months left at school and then I will be able to play a lot more cricket. When my time on the Academy comes to an end I very much hope that Somerset will award me a contract, because I would definitely like to play professional cricket for the County.”
