Bideford cricketer Craig Overton will join the England Lions on next month’s tour of Australia.

Overton will join Lions on next month’s tour of Australia.

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NORTH Devon cricketer Craig Overton has been called up into the England Lions squad for a five-match tour to Australia which starts next month.

Overton, who played all the way through the age groups for Devon from Under-10s upwards with twin Jamie, has been added to the 17-strong party having impressed during winter training with the national squad at Loughborough.

Both Overtons, who live in Bideford with mum Helen and dad Mark, have represented England from U18 upwards.

The twins were pulled out of the England U19 squad at the end of last season and placed into a special group of potential fast bowlers working under the Lions umbrella.

Craig expected to be joining Jamie on a tour to South Africa which leaves in 10 days for the fast-bowling group, but has been offered a trip to Tasmania and Sydney with the Lions instead.

Jamie – the younger twin by three minutes – is on the reserve list to join Craig should any of the quick men suffer an injury.

The twins are both on the Somerset staff, although their appearances have been limited by international commitments with England Under-19s over the past two seasons.

“Because they are both fast bowlers the twins were taken out of the Under-19 squad and sent to Loughborough instead,” said dad Mark.

“They are on a scheme called PEP – that’s potential emerging players – and because someone has either dropped out or been moved into another squad Craig has been called up.

“He flies out on Wednesday and will be back in early March. The Lions are playing three games against Australia A in Hobart, then move on to Sydney for two more before coming home.”

Craig Overton made his full Devon debut aged 16 years and 71 days in a match against Wales at Abergavenny in June 2010. Jamie had to wait until the following season and a match against Oxfordshire at Little Tew to make his Devon bow.

The twins made their First Class debuts for Somerset last season and featured in three games together.