JOHANNESBURG: England seamer Craig Overton’s cracked rib may force him to sit out of the Boxing Day Ashes Test against Australia.
Overton was hit by a Pat Cummins bouncer while batting on debut in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, which he then aggravated in the Perth Test earlier this week.
Overton said after the third Test, which England lost by an inning and 41 runs to concede the series: "We're going to assess it over the next couple of days,” Sport24 quoted Overton as saying after the third Test.
"Melbourne might be a push but it's still an option to play at the minute," he said.
The 23-year-old made an unbeaten 41 in his debut for England and has claimed six wickets in his two matches to date.
Having won the Perth Test by an innings and 41 runs, Australia have already regained the coveted urn, will now play the inconsequential fourth Test against England,
England, who are trailing by 0-3 in the Ashes series will now play the inconsequential fourth Test beginning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26.