ENGLAND have called up Craig Overton for the injured Liam Plunkett for the one-day international series in New Zealand.

Yorkshire bowler Plunkett was ruled out with a hamstring injury and his place in the squad has gone to Somerset's Overton. 

The 23-year-old Overton, who made his Test debut against Australia in December, joins all-rounder Ben Stokes in the squad.

He has never yet played in England's limited-overs set-up. In 2015, Craig and his twin brother Jamie were called up to the one-day squad but did not feature against New Zealand.

Last year, Craig was included in the T20 squad against South Africa, but was overlooked for a debut in a three-match series that included a fixture at his home ground in Taunton.

"Obviously it is really good news for me," he said.

"It'll be great to get out there before the Test series starts and it'll give me the chance to get in a bit of practice and hopefully I can get selected for some of the one-dayers.

"I've been in a few one-day squads before and it's really nice to be in one again. Hopefully I'll be able to get a game and it'll be a great experience because I've never been to New Zealand before. I'm really looking forward to it."

Following Craig’s call up Somerset Head Coach Jason Kerr said: “This is great news for Craig.

“He made a real impression during the Ashes series and the England selectors are more than well aware of what he is capable of.

“He showed against Australia that he is very much at home on the international stage and if he is given the opportunity in New Zealand I’m sure that he will be successful again.”

The five-match ODI series begins this Sunday and Craig will remain in New Zealand for the two-match Test series which gets under way on March 22.

Craig was outstanding in all formats of the game for Somerset last season and in 50-over cricket claimed 16 wickets at an average of just 24.06 with a best of three for 21.

Craig made an impressive start to his England career during the recent Ashes series, taking six wickets and scoring 62 runs in his two matches.

Plunkett made his return against New Zealand in Wellington earlier this week but aggravated the problem he first suffered in the ODI in Sydney last month. He has been diagnosed with a grade one tear and, unlike when he stayed with the squad after the injury in Australia, he will now be heading home.