SOMERSET cricketers Craig Overton and Jack Leach have been named in the England Test squad for the 2021/22 Ashes tour.

England Men's Head Coach Chris Silverwood has named a 17-player squad for the Ashes tour of Australia starting in November.

All 17 players have been capped at Test level and is a very strong squad that will be captained by Joe Root.

 

As confirmed on Friday, the Ashes tour is subject to several critical conditions being met by Cricket Australia before the team travels in November.

Commenting on the squad, England Men’s head coach Chris Silverwood, said a tour to Australia is the pinnacle for a cricketer.

“I am delighted that all of our available players have committed to the tour, we are looking forward to touring and enjoying the experience of this historic series.

“This is why we play and coach to be involved in iconic series like this," Silverwood said.

England’s Test specialists and the Lions squad are set to depart, subject to conditions being granted, on Thursday 4 November.

This exciting news for Overton and Leach comes just days after the pair were recognised within the new contract structure within England cricket.

Jack Leach has been awarded his first central contract, and Craig Overton has received a pace bowling development contract.

Under the new system, 20 annual contracts have been awarded on a ‘single’ contract list instead of the previous separation of red-ball and white-ball contracts introduced in 2016.

The new system has been developed working in consultation with the players, Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA).