Red-ball cricket player Jamie Overton has declared an indefinite hiatus. Along with the two Tests in 2022 and 2025, Overton has played 99 First-Class games and a few Test matches. He has also played for Surrey and Somerset in the domestic circuit.
He recently made his choice public and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play First-Class cricket for such a long time.
Jamie Overton added that his aspirations were always fueled by red-ball cricket.
“I have made the decision to take an indefinite hiatus from red-ball cricket after giving it a lot of thought. Having participated in 99 First-Class games, including two Test matches for England, makes me feel incredibly privileged. My professional career was built on red-ball, First-Class cricket, which also served as the starting point for all of my previous opportunities in the sport. According to the England and Wales Cricket Board, Overton said, “I learned the game there, and it fueled the goals and ambitions that have driven me for so long.”
The 31-year-old admitted that it will not be possible to concentrate on red-ball cricket in addition to limited-overs cricket in the future. Jamie Overton promised that he would do his best for as long as he could.
“But given the demands of cricket at this point in my career—which spans a 12-month calendar—it is no longer feasible to devote myself entirely to all formats at every level, both intellectually and physically. I’ll be concentrating on white-ball cricket going forward, and I’ll keep working hard to play at my best for as long as I can,” he continued.
Rob Key, director of cricket for the England men’s team, said that if Overton hadn’t taken an indefinite hiatus from the format, he would have been a part of the team’s red-ball setup. He did, however, admire and value Jamie Overton rash choice.
“Jamie would have been a part of our red-ball plans for the foreseeable future, therefore it is unfortunate to see that his news came as a surprise. Nevertheless, it reminds us of the cricketing environment in which we currently play. We appreciate him telling us when he did, and we respect his decision,” Key said.
Overton recently performed at The Hundred Men’s 2025 as a member of London Spirit. The last Test of England’s five-match series against India at The Oval was his most recent appearance.
India
