STAR Somerset bowler Craig Overton is recovering well after a recent surgery to help remedy some back issues he had been enduring over the past couple of seasons.

The 29-year-old was one of the Club’s standout performers in 2023, taking 44 wickets and scoring over 300 runs across the formats, but he now faces some time on the sidelines.

Somerset CCC head of science & medicine, Jamie Thorpe discussed Overton's surgery and recovery plans on the clubs website.

He said: “Craig has been managing a back issue for a couple of seasons now.

“We were in a position where we were able to manage the issue with medical interventions in the event of his symptoms becoming too sore, but we came to a point where this course of action was no longer helping to resolve the symptoms."

Due to the issues needed further treatment, Overton underwent 'surgical intervention' to alleviate the pain in his back.

Thorpe added: "Craig and the medical team felt that the time was right to undertake a surgical intervention in order to alleviate the discomfort and pain that he was feeling in his back. We’ve taken the decision because ultimately Craig was in a position where he was unable to perform his skills at his optimum level of intensity.

"We now have a good block of time throughout the winter in which to focus on his rehab. We’ll be keeping him on a tight leash for the next four weeks in terms of what he is allowed to do."

After the initial rehab, it is expected that Overton will become more involved in the Club’s winter programme after Christmas.

“Craig is a massive part of this Club and a is a player who the Club want to be performing optimally for as long as possible," Thorpe said.

"Everything that we are doing is designed around what is best for Craig in the long term. We will be taking as much time as we can to make sure that he is physically prepared for the season ahead.”