ENG v NZ 2022: James Anderson out of 3rd Test in Headingley Test due to injury; Jamie Overton to debut

England leads the 3-Test series 2-0.

England’s leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson will miss the third Test against New Zealand which is to be played at Leeds, Headingley due to an ankle injury, captain Ben Stokes announced on Wednesday.

This will also mean that the twin brother of England pacer Craig Overton, Jamie will make his Test debut, as England prepare for a whitewash after winning the first two Tests in the series. However, this means, that Craig Overton will miss out on the third Test match.

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"Unfortunately Jimmy's not pulled up as well as we would have liked him to, so Jamie Overton's going to make his debut this week. It's unfortunate for Jimmy, but we've got a massive test against India coming up as well. I'm not too sure how serious it is to be honest. He's just got a bit of a puffy ankle,” Ben Stokes told Sky Sports.

"Jamie's been very impressive, the way that he's bowled. We always want a point of difference in our side, bowling with serious pace and changing games as well. That's the only change this week. As tempting as it was to get both twins out there playing for England, Jamie's the only change,” he added.

Jamie Overton's debut comes four-and-a-half years after his brother Craig made his first England Test appearance, and comes as a reward for a fine start to the season with Surrey, for whom he has claimed 21 wickets at 21, and consistently bowled in excess of 90mph/145kph.

England XI for the third Test against New Zealand:

Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (WK), Jamie Overton, Stuart Broad, Matt Potts, Jack Leach.

(AFP inputs)