“Unfortunately Jimmy has not pulled up as well as we would have liked. So Jamie Overton is going to make his debut. It’s unfortunate for Jimmy but we’ve got a massive Test match against India to look to as well. It’s great Jamie gets the opportunity to represent England” – Ben Stokes
Last Updated: 22/06/22 12:02pm
Jimmy Anderson is out of England’s third Test vs New Zealand due to injury
England skipper Ben Stokes has confirmed Jimmy Anderson will miss the third Test vs New Zealand with an ankle injury, as Jamie Overton comes in for his debut.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Stokes said: “Unfortunately Jimmy (Anderson) has not pulled up as well as we would have liked. So Jamie Overton is going to make his debut this week.
“It’s unfortunate for Jimmy but we’ve obviously got a massive Test match against India next week to look to as well.
“He didn’t pull up as well, so it’s great Jamie gets the opportunity to represent England.
Jamie Overton comes in and will make his England debut
“I’m not too sure to be honest [of the injury], I’m sure the medical team will update me, but he’s got a bit of a puffy ankle.”
Stokes added he was unsure at this stage how long Anderson may be kept out, but spoke of his excitement at the talent of Overton.
“He’s [Overton] been very impressive,” he said
“The way that he’s bowled, we always want a point of difference in our side, and Jamie’s been bowling with some serious pace and been changing games as well.
England skipper Ben Stokes spoke to media on Wednesday ahead of the third Test
“So to have someone come in, in obviously a different role to what Jimmy normally plays, and in the back pocket have someone who can bowl 90 miles an hour, and bowl aggressively is exciting to have in the team.
“That’s the only change this week, as tempting as it was to get two twins [Overton brothers] out there playing for England.
“Jamie for Jimmy is the only change.”
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England captain Stokes trains ahead of the third Test against New Zealand, having previously felt unwell and picking up a knee injury last time out at Trent Bridge
At 2-0 up after two Tests vs New Zealand, and with the series wrapped up, Stokes was also asked what the focus is this week for the third and final Test, live on Sky Sports.
“We’ve obviously won the series, but as everyone keeps saying now, there’s World Test Championship points to play for,” Stokes added.
“With last week being an amazing week and an amazing day at Trent Bridge, we want to carry that on with the way that we play.
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Highlights of day five of the second Test between England and New Zealand from Trent Bridge
“I was pretty simple and clear in the dressing room, I said: ‘This week, let’s try and think like we’re in the entrainment business rather than the sporting business.’
“We’ve managed to do something last week, and there’s a reason we had 20,000 people at Trent Bridge on Day 5. Because they want to come and watch this new brand of cricket that we’re playing.
“So I set a challenge to the team to come out and be even more fearless, more positive and more aggressive than we were last week.”