ENGLAND COACH HINTS AT OVERTON GETTING TEST PLACE

Shane Bond was complimentary of the Somerset paceman after his display in an Ashes warm-up

Craig Overton has been given further indication that he is set for an England Test debut in the first Ashes Test, this time by bowling consultant Shane Bond.

The Somerset seamer is one of four uncapped players in the tourists' squad Down Under, alongside Ben Foakes, Mason Crane and Tom Curran, but stands the best chance of making a Test bow in Brisbane next week.

Having taken advantage of injuries to Steven Finn and Jake Ball, claiming four wickets in Adelaide against a Cricket Australia XI last week and two more against the same opposition in Townsville on Wednesday, Overton now seems to be the frontrunner for the fourth seamer's spot in the team which will face Australia at the Gabba.

And now Bond - brought in on a short-term deal to work with England's pace attack this winter following Ottis Gibson's departure for South Africa - has given the 23-year-old further encouragement.

"Craig is ahead because we have a guy recuperating from injury," Bond told BBC Sport.

"Jake is a little bit behind and Craig has come out and performed well.

"I was pleased for Craig, that was a really good performance.

^{Craig Overton could make his Test debut in Brisbane}

"He bowled 18 strong overs, used the short ball and created chances. He's building well and he'll certainly be ready for the Test match."

New Zealander Bond, who will make way for Chris Silverwood at the turn of the year, is convinced Overton would enjoy playing at the Gabba in Brisbane - the venue for the first Test of a hotly-anticipated series.

"He offers something different," said Bond. "He's not as quick, but he does get significant bounce.

"The Gabba is a bouncy wicket and he's the sort of bowler who could hustle the ball through at throat height."

England reduced the Cricket Australia side to 249 for nine at stumps on the first day at the Tony Ireland Stadium.

Chris Woakes was the pick of the English bowlers, claiming six wickets, while the visitors would have been buoyed to see Moeen Ali back in action following a recent side strain.

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