Exclusive: Resurgent Jamie Overton Looking To Strike A Blow On The World Stage After Regaining Pivotal England Spot

Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton appears set for a thrilling winter, not only on the pitch with England, Adelaide Strikers and Chennai Super Kings, but courtesy of his talented racehorse Brentford Hope who bids for Grade 1 glory this week.     

It promises to be a big winter for Jamie Overton – both on the pitch and on the track.

Back on Track

The big-hitting Surrey all-rounder’s star is in the ascent having played a pivotal role in England’s recent T20 Series win in the Caribbean; his first international honours since a dramatic Test debut in 2022 against New Zealand when he fell just three short of a memorable century.

Those performances and some impressive outings in the Hundred for Manchester Originals have not only earned the 30-year-old a return stint to the Adelaide Strikers for the latest Big Bash League which starts next month, but Overton has also been picked up by the Chennai Super Kings for an inaugural trip to the Indian Premier League next spring.

For Overton it is a rapid change of fortune after a summer where he was prevented from bowling because of a fifth stress fracture of the back and forced to play as a specialist batsman for his county, the Originals and ultimately England.

“It’s been very odd batting at eight and not bowling and if you’d said to me when I was at Somerset five years ago that I would have been playing as a specialist batter I would have laughed and said ‘yeah, whatever!’,” Overton told SportsBoom.com. 

“It’s just shown that all the work that I’ve done with the bat in the last couple of years, especially in white ball cricket, has begun to be recognised and it’s nice that the coaches see something in me, and they think I can perform that niche role."

“Hopefully, I can keep going with it and can prove the doubters wrong as it’s a really rewarding position when you get everything right. It’s a nice role to have and a nice feeling that you’re being backed to go out and achieve it."

Injury Woes

Referring to his recent injury woes, Overton adds: “There wasn’t ever a fear I wouldn’t continue playing, being picked again for England was a different conversation though."

“I trusted in my abilities to get back (into the England team) and if it got me there, it got me there. I knew I was quite close prior to getting the latest stress fracture, but it was just getting my body back to full health and trusting the process to get back in the side."

“I still feel I have a lot left to achieve so it would be nice to try and stay injury free for a bit.”

An injury free winter could see Overton’s stock rise further, as he reveals.

“I loved my time with the Adelaide Strikers last year so it will be nice to get back out there and see the lads and try and win that title,” he says.

“Who knows after that? There is a tour of India after that and the Champions Trophy if selected. It was also brilliant to be picked up by CSK this week and I can’t wait to go and compete with all the world class talent on show in the IPL.”

From Bowling to Horse Racing

Standing at a towering 6ft 5in, the self-confessed horseracing enthusiast flies to Australia to report to the Strikers next week, but not before he takes in a trip to Newcastle on Saturday to watch his beloved seven-year-old Brentford Hope take on the might of Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

The Harry Derham-trained gelding is also owned by Overton’s twin brother Craig with fellow England all-rounder Liam Livingstone also involved in The Optimists syndicate which own the five-time hurdle winner.

“There were a few conversations about Brentford in the Caribbean as he ran when we were away and some of the lads were getting stuck into us for him not winning!” recalls Overton.

“We were very happy with the run though (second at Wincanton) as he ran a stormer on ground that probably wasn’t ideal for him."

“All roads lead to the Fighting Fifth now and fingers crossed he gets there and takes his chance, but he’s been a brilliant horse for us in the last two years so we can’t ask for anymore."

“Who knows what he can achieve? I don’t think he’s finished in the top three or four in every race he’s run for us bar one race. He’s run in some top handicaps and warm races and now he deserves the chance to see what he can achieve at Grade 1 level."

“We’ll learn more on Saturday where we go for the rest of the season, but he ran a career best at Wincanton on his comeback on ground which arguably wasn’t ideal so if he can improve on that who knows what he can do?"

“I don’t get too nervous watching Brentford Hope run as you can’t really control what happens and you know that he has done all the work required to get him to the races to perform."

“Saturday may be a little different admittedly, as it’s obviously massive for my best mate Harry (Derham) having his first Grade 1 runner so it’s a proud moment for him and me."

“Harry has obviously come a long way in the last couple of years and it’s nice to be able to support him – we’re just taking our chance with Brentford Hope and who knows what might happen - let’s hope he gives Harry a day to remember.”