SOMERSET'S Jamie Overton has started bowling again after spending the past 12 weeks recovering from tendonitis in his right knee, writes Richard Walsh.

The 19-year-old paceman, who missed the county squad’s training camp in Pretoria, said: “I was suffering from it for most of last summer and managed it with the help of Ian Brewer and it seemed to go away but it came back later in the autumn.”

Despite his injury last year Overton claimed 33 Championship wickets at just under 34 runs each, and ended the season being called up to join the England One Day squad for the series against Australia, although he didn’t appear in any of the games.

Overton added: “I was then picked for the Lions tour to Sri Lanka but England decided that it was better for me to come back here to the club and focus on getting the injury sorted to hopefully be ready for the start of the coming season.

“My rehab programme has gone really well and I have been bowling for the last week or so off a half run-up with 70% intensity so I’m not too far away. All being well in a couple more weeks I hope I can be back to bowling full on.

“I should be fully fit going into the new season and would like to be ready for the University game that starts on Monday April 7. If I’m not quite ready for that then I want to be fit for the first Championship game.

“Hopefully I can push on and try to play in all formats for Somerset and then work towards a place in the England team. However first of all I want to focus on playing for Somerset.

“I am very pleased to have signed a new contract at the end of last season because I have always wanted to play for Somerset since I was really young and I want to do well for them.”

Twin brother Craig is also back to full fitness so Somerset followers could well see an Overton bowling at both ends in 2014.

Jamie added: “Hopefully we can put in some good performances and help Somerset to win something.

“Last year went pretty well for me, but that is behind me now and I just want to focus on the new season that is soon coming up.”

Somerset start their pre-season in earnest when they entertain Worcestershire in a three day game starting on Wednesday, March 19.