Jamie Overton joins twin brother in England squad

LONDON: Fast bowler Jamie Overton has been called up to England´s squad for the remaining two one-day internationals against New Zealand, it was announced on Monday.

He was selected after Yorkshire fast-medium bowler Liam Plunkett was ruled out with a thigh strain after the second ODI.

Overton´s inclusion comes after twin brother Craig, an all-rounder, was called into the squad on Saturday after Chris Jordan was ruled out of the rest of the series with a side injury.

Both of the 21-year-old Overtons, who play for Somerset, are uncapped at international level.

Jamie Overton has appeared in just 14 senior one-day or List A county matches, where his 20 wickets have come at a respectable average of 27 apiece.

Craig Overton has played 15 List A matches and while his figures may not be that impressive -- he averages just 10.54 with the bat and 54.20 with the ball -- he is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the English game.

No pair of twins have yet featured in a senior England cricket team, but the Waugh twins, Stephen and Mark, were mainstays of the successful Australia side of the 1990s and early 2000s, while New Zealand´s Hamish and James Marshall also played international cricket.

World Cup finalists New Zealand lead the five-match series with England 2-1 after their three-wicket win at Hampshire´s Rose Bowl ground on Sunday.

The series continues at Trent Bridge on Wednesday before concluding at Chester-le-Street on Saturday. (AFP)