JAMIE OVERTON has no regrets about taking an indefinite break from red-ball cricket as England’s bid to regain the Ashes looms large on the horizon.

The fast-bowling all-rounder featured in England’s most recent Test against India at the Oval in July, just his second appearance in the longest format, before announcing his shock hiatus last month.

While he was odds-on to be in England’s squad to face Australia, Overton cited concerns about the physical and mental exertions of playing all three formats as a major factor in his decision.

Overton admitted he has faced a bit of backlash but having overcome multiple stress fractures in his back, he is content to focus exclusively on the ODI and T20 formats for England for now.

“Obviously I’ve had a few comments here and there,” Overton said. “But I feel happy with the decision I made.

“It’s one of those — my body feels great at the moment. Obviously I’m not going to be involved in the Ashes, which is the thing you grow up wanting to play.

“But my body is the main thing and it was just trying to do the right thing at the right moment and that felt like the right thing to do.”