Craig Overton leaves England squad in South Africa ahead of Lions tour

The Somerset seamer was called up as cover as illness swept through the camp but will return to the UK to prepare for matches in Australia with the second string

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Somerset seamer Craig Overton will leave the England squad in South Africa and return to the UK to prepare for the upcoming Lions tour of Australia.

The 25-year-old was left out of the original group but was called up as cover alongside Dom Bess after several players were hit with illness before the first Test at Centurion.

But while Bess has been required to play amid the ongoing issues suffered by Jack Leach, Overton has had a watching brief and the decision has now been made for him to go home.

Leach, James Anderson and Rory Burns have already been forced to leave the tour due to a combination of illness and injury.

The development come after Jofra Archer was left out of the third Test amid concerns over an ongoing elbow injury. Stuart Broad and Sam Curran were joined by Mark Wood in the pace attack for the match in Port Elizabeth.

Part of the reason for the decision is the upcoming Lions tour of Australia, which departs on January 21.

Overton has been included in both the 50-over and four-day squads for the series of matches, which begins on February 1.

England's second string, captained by Lewis Gregory, face eight matches against sides from Australia and New Zealand, a trip which is viewed as an early opportunity to prepare for the Ashes series in 2021-22.