Jamie Overton sheds weight to fuel England Test ambitions

England all-rounder Jamie Overton has revealed he has lost 20kg in a bid to boost his chances of playing Test cricket.

The 29-year-old has been on the fringes of the England team for several years, but he has yet to make his Test debut.

Overton has played in 26 one-day internationals and 14 Twenty20 internationals for England, but he is desperate to add a Test cap to his collection.

He believes that shedding the weight will help him to become a more effective all-rounder, and he is now hoping to force his way into the England team for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.

"I've always been a big lad, but I knew that I needed to lose some weight if I wanted to play Test cricket," Overton said.

"I've been working hard in the gym and I've changed my diet, and I'm now feeling the benefits."

Overton is not the only England player to have lost weight in recent months. Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes have also shed the pounds, and they have both seen their performances improve as a result.

England coach Chris Silverwood has said that he is impressed with Overton's progress, and he believes that he has the potential to be a valuable member of the Test team.

"Jamie is a talented cricketer, and I'm pleased to see that he is taking his fitness seriously," Silverwood said.

"He has lost a lot of weight, and he is now looking much leaner and fitter.

"I'm confident that he can make a big contribution to the England team in the future."

Overton is expected to be part of England's squad for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia.

The first Test match of the series will be played at Edgbaston on June 16.