CRAIG Overton is aiming to be a ‘big part of the future’ at Somerset, after signing on the dotted line on a new three-year contract at Taunton – and he hopes fellow academy graduates twin brother, Jamie and Lewis Gregory will be alongside him the whole way.

The all-rounder has been one of the country’s leading performers in domestic first-class cricket this season, taking 33 wickets at an average of 17.54 in just seven matches, as well as scoring 218 runs at 27.25 – and the Devon-born 21-year-old says signing a new contract is a ‘really special’ moment for him.

He said: “I’m delighted - I’ve always wanted to play for Somerset and to sign for the next three years is really special for me.

“Hopefully the three of us (Jamie Overton and Lewis Gregory) can be a big part of the future of the club because that’s what we want to be. “We’ve all come through the academy together so to be able to go out there and play first team cricket is something we’ve always wanted to do and it’s nice that we are doing it together.”

Twin brother, Jamie, who has been invited to work with the England test side ahead of this summer’s Ashes series, is also pleased to have extended his stay.

He said: “I want to be able to do as much as I can for Somerset, so to sign up until 2018 is great.

“Twins always seem to do the same sort of things so for Craig to be signing as well is nice.

“We’re here together for the next few years so hopefully we can put in some good performances together.

“I’m meeting up with the squad today (Monday) to bowl a few balls at them ahead of the first test which I’m really looking forward to.

“I’ll then stay with them for the first day before heading back home.

“It’s pretty exciting and you can only learn from being in that situation so hopefully it will stand me in good stead for the future.”

Lewis Gregory, who was the first of the trio to receive an international call-up, said: “It’s really exciting - we’ve got a good squad here with a group of good young cricketers and I’m really happy that I’ll be with the club for a few more years.

“The group of young players that we’ve got are really talented and are pushing for international honours, which is great for the club.”