Ashes 2017: Craig Overton says England will be throwing everything to avoid whitewash

Craig Overton is nursing a hairline fracture to his rib.

Craig Overton with England Team in Ashes 2017-18 | Getty Images

England all-rounder Craig Overton, on Tuesday, admitted that his side has not been good enough for long enough in the ongoing Ashes series, but insists the chastened touring side will be throwing everything and fight until the very last to do so to avoid a whitewash at the hands of Australians.

Steve Smith-led Australian side regained the urn on Monday after beating Joe Root's side by an innings and 41 runs in the third test at the WACA to take a 3-0 lead in the five-Test Ashes series.

After losing Urn, England will have to play a winning brand of cricket in Melbourne and Sydney to save their pride, and Overton says England are desperate to make a mark in the series in Australia.  

Speaking to The Times, Craig Overton said, “We have not been good enough for long enough in this series and have let chances slip, and because of that we have lost the Ashes before Christmas. We are gutted but don't for a second think that there will be divisions in the camp or that we see the series as over. We will be throwing everything we have at the Melbourne and Sydney Tests -- we are desperate to make a mark on the series, even if it's too late to win. We will fight until the very last to do so.”

Overton’s participation in the last two Tests is still in doubt after suffering a hairline fracture of a rib while diving in the field at Perth. Commenting on his chances, Overton said, “I am nursing a hairline fracture to my rib but the doctor warned me it could become much worse if I landed the wrong way -- a proper fracture, or even a punctured lung. No one needs that. I've been brought up to fight through the pain, and I'm not the sort to leave the field for nothing.”

Although, Somerset seamer is desperate to be part of England’s squad for the Melbourne Test, which is scheduled to start on December 26. Overton concluded by saying, “I won't rule myself out of Melbourne. I accept it's unlikely, but I'm so desperate to play that I won't accept I'm not going to until the doctors tell me absolutely otherwise. I'll be weaning myself off the strong painkillers, just a few paracetamol to help me sleep. And no golf! It'll be beach time for me.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 20 Dec, 2017

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