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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Craig Overton retires hurt after being hit on head by vicious bouncer from brother Jamie

Twin brothers Craig and Jamie Overton faced off in the County Championship clash between Somerset and Surrey, with Jamie felling Craig with a vicious short ball in Somerset's innings.

The brothers came through the ranks together at Somerset, before Jamie made the move to Surrey in 2020, initially on loan. Craig, however, has continued to ply his trade down at Taunton and has also made 12 appearances for England in Test and ODI cricket.

He was named in England's squad for the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, but was released to play for Somerset after not making the final XI. And his inclusion in the Somerset side saw him go head-to-head with his twin.

Jamie, who has been in good form for Surrey so far this season and clocked at bowling over 90mph, delivered a vicious spell of bowling at the Somerset tail. In one over, he hit his twin on the head with a brutal short ball, with Craig collapsing in a heap on the ground.

He was quickly tended to by the physio and retired hurt to be assessed for a potential concussion. Then, in his very next over, Jamie struck Josh Davey on the head with another vicious bouncer.

He was also forced to leave the field to be assessed for a concussion and was replaced at the crease by Craig, who had seemingly been passed fit by the physio. Despite the earlier incident, Jamie continued to bowl short but Craig managed to avoid getting hit again.

He ultimately fell lbw to Gus Atkinson for 29 as Somerset were bowled out for 180 in their first innings. Davey, meanwhile, withdrawn from the match due to the blow he took on the head, with Kasey Aldridge replacing him as a concussion substitute.

It was a brutal spell of fast bowling from Jamie, who could be in line for an England cap this summer with other genuine quicks like Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Olly Stone unavailable through injury. And he is hoping to play alongside Craig for England.

"That's the dream we've had forever," he told the Evening Standard earlier this year. "I think we’d be the first twins to play for England together. That would be amazing for us and the family."

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