Craig Overton retains "burning" England ambitions despite being overlooked for Ireland Test

Overton has been managing tendonitis in his knee since the start of the season so didn't expect to be called up for the Ireland Test

Craig Overton has reasserted his desire to play international cricket after being left out of England's squad for the one-off Test against Ireland.

Overton last played for England in March 2022 on their disappointing tour of the Caribbean. He has played eight Tests for England and taken 21 wickets at 36.19.

"I am still managing some tendonitis in a knee, which was affecting me at the start of the season. Because of that, I never expected to be selected by England," Overton said after Somerset's T20 Blast victory over Hampshire, in which he took 3 for 8.

"But it seems to be improving and I am getting back to where I want to be. It's a long summer and it remains a burning ambition to play more international cricket."

This comes after Worcestershire seamer Josh Tongue was called into the England squad for the Test against Ireland.

^{Overton took three wickets for Somerset on Wednesday night in the T20 Blast (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

Tongue is effectively a replacement for Ollie Robinson who, although given the all-clear to play, will likely be rested for the Ireland match following a scan on his ankle.

James Anderson has also recently declared himself fit to play in the first Ashes Test but is expected to miss the Ireland fixture. This came after Anderson suffered a groin strain in Lancashire's County Championship match against Somerset.

Earlier this month it was announced that Jofra Archer will miss the entirety of England's cricketing summer with an ongoing elbow problem.

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