Jamie Overton pleased to have fans 'on the edge of their seats' in third Test against New Zealand
- Sean Fisher
- 26 June 2022
After narrowly missing out on a maiden England century, Jamie Overton was pleased to excite the Headingley crowd in the third Test against New Zealand.
England's new ethos is to be the "entertainers" of cricket, and Jamie Overton did just that during his 241-run stand with Jonny Bairstow in the first innings of the third Test.
England found themselves at 55 for six at Headlingley after facing relentless pressure from the tourists, but the introduction of Bairstow and Overton was an unlikely saving grace.
Fresh from his century in the second Test, Bairstow managed his second ton of the series, scoring 162 from 157 as he once again steadied the ship for Ben Stokes' side.
But not many expected Overton to keep pace, with the 28-year-old ending on 97 for 136 as he was cruelly denied his century by Trent Boult.
A 5⃣0⃣ for Jamie Overton in his 1st ever Test innings 🏴
— Jonny Bairstow’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) June 24, 2022
Phenomenal work 👊#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/2zmkYTDrzz
However, while his innings ended in a bittersweet fashion, Overton was proud to live up to England's new label as the "entertainers" of cricket.
Since the appointment of Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as head coach, the Test side have adopted a fearless approach, wanting to entertain and attack with the bat.
It was a decision that helped the side claim victory in the second Test, and it seems to be paying off once again in Headingley this week.
Headingley rises to Jamie Overton - 97 on debut, don’t worry about those 3 runs lad 💪#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/1f49LIa3oY
— Jonny Bairstow’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) June 25, 2022
"It's been good fun. Obviously I was very disappointed getting out on 97, but I feel like I've contributed to the team," said Overton.
"It's always a challenge when you first go into something, but I feel I've done okay. I'd like to take a few more wickets, but I'm more than happy to get 97. I didn't think I'd get anywhere near that, especially coming in at 55 for six.
"Ben Stokes has got the ethos of trying to be entertainers for everyone and he said in the changing room earlier that the way me and Jonny played had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
"That's entertaining cricket and that's what we want to be doing. I like to think I'm quite an entertaining cricketer."
England resume day four at 11:00 BST with New Zealand on 168 for five.
