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Ashes 2017: Craig Overton suffers broken rib during third Test as England see lead evaporate due to Steve Smith heroics

England seam bowler was struck in the ribs during the second Test in Adelaide and appeared to aggravate the injury on day two of the third Test

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The Independent Sport
Craig Overton grimaces after suffering a broken rib in the third Test against Australia Getty

England have confirmed Craig Overton has a hairline cracked rib.

The seamer was passed fit to bowl for England on day three of the third Ashes Test in Perth, after taking pain-killers.

He hurt himself the previous afternoon when he dived to his left to try to take a caught-and-bowled chance, having also been struck a painful blow to the ribs while batting in England's second-Test defeat in Adelaide.

Ashes third Test in pictures

Ashes third Test in pictures

  • 1/20 Day One

    Alastair Cook departs after being trapped LBW for seven.

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  • 2/20 Day One

    Mark Stoneman is hit by the ball on his way to making 56.

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  • 3/20 Day One

    James Vince is caught behind by Tim Paine off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood.

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  • 4/20 Day One

    Joe Root walks off after making 20, having been caught by Tim Paine off the bowling of Pat Cummins.

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  • 5/20 Day One

    Dawid Malan sweeps the ball away for four on the first day of the third Test.

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  • 6/20 Day One

    Jonny Bairstow runs between the wickets with Dawid Malan on the first day of the third Ashes test.

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  • 7/20 Day One

    Dawid Malan celebrates reaching his century on the first day of the third Ashes Test.

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  • 8/20 Day Two

    Dawid Malan walks off the Waca field after making 140.

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  • 9/20 Day Two

    Steve Smith celebrates with his Australian teammates following the dismissal of Dawid Malan.

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  • 10/20 Day Two

    Jonny Bairstow celebrates reaching his century on day two of the third Test.

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  • 11/20 Day Two

    Jonny Bairstow points to the sky in memory of his late father after reaching his century.

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  • 12/20 Day Two

    Jonny Bairstow headbutts his England helmet after passing 100.

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  • 13/20 Day Two

    Chris Woakes is dismissed by Josh Hazlewood as England's lower order is bowled out cheaply.

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  • 14/20 Day Two

    Craig Overton walks off dejectedly after being caught out for just 2.

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  • 15/20 Day Two

    Stuart Broad edged an attempted pull shot to Cameron Bancroft at short-leg.

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  • 16/20 Day Two

    David Warner walks off the field after making 22.

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  • 17/20 Day Two

    Cameron Bancroft dives for the crease in an attempted run-out.

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  • 18/20 Day Two

    Craig Overton celebrates dismissing Cameron Bancroft soon after the wicket of David Warner.

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  • 19/20 Day Two

    Usman Khawaja is dismissed by Chris Woakes late on day two.

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  • 20/20 Day Two

    Steve Smith steadied the ship for Australia as he approached his century.

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Overton underwent scans before Australia resumed their innings at the Waca.

England hope he will be able to bowl through the remainder of the match, but his injury will be reassessed.

The tourists also saw their first-innings lead evaporate on day three as Australia captain Steve Smith passed his double-century, with ample support from the recalled Mitchell Marsh in his maiden Test century helping Australia cruise past England’s total of 403 having lost just four wickets.

England need to beat Australia to have any hope of winning the Ashes, while a draw would see them able to retain the Urn providing they win the remaining two Tests.

PA