It was a fabulous first game of the season for Surrey paceman Jamie Overton, who struggled with form and injury last season. Some tweaks to his action after a recent chat with Assistant Coach Azhar Mahmood have seen a real uptick in his fortunes.
Eight wickets in the match, bowling with some serious heat, this was a great start to Overton’s LV= County Championship season, as he spearheaded Surrey to an innings victory which saw them leapfrog early pacesetters Hampshire to go to the summit of the Division One table.
So what was the catalyst for this performance, perhaps his finest in a Surrey shirt. Overton says: “About a week before the first game I had a chat with Azhar and as a result I have shortened my run-up. Not by much but I can run in a bit quicker now and I have a bit more control at the wicket.
“It sounds bizarre that running in quicker could make you have more control but it really worked. My momentum through the crease has increased; there is more energy going right towards the target and I am not slowing down as I was off my longer run. I think I only bowled two or three balls down the legside in the game and that is the tell-tale sign for me.
“I have only had the Second XI friendly game at Taunton and then this one against Hampshire at The Kia Oval with the tweaks in place, but the signs are good and I’ll just be trying to keep it going.”
The next opportunity for Jamie to showcase his new action will be on Thursday against his old county Somerset here at The Kia Oval. With twin brother Craig having taken 13 wickets in his first game of the season, there are bragging rights as well as points to play for!
