da marjack bet： Somerset batter brought in for third ODI after finding form in Blast
George Dobell01-Jul-2021
Tom Banton has played six ODIs and nine T20Is•AFP
England have added Tom Banton to their squad for the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Bristol on Sunday.Banton, the 22-year-old Somerset top-order batter, hit a 47-ball century in the Vitality T20 Blast at the start of the week. He has played six ODIs and nine T20Is for England.He joins the squad to provide back-up with Dawid Malan currently absent for personal reasons. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, of England’s first choice batting line-up, are also missing as they recover from injury.Related
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In a different era Banton, who has more than a touch of Kevin Pietersen about his batting, might already be established in the England limited-overs sides. But with the side currently blessed with impressive depth of top-order options, Banton has been obliged to wait for another opportunity. He has been preferred to other options such as Phil Salt, Alex Hales or Sam Hain.Somerset confirmed that Banton will miss their derby in the Blast against Gloucestershire on Thursday evening, as well as their home fixture against Middlesex on Friday.England are 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series and take on Sri Lanka at The Oval in a day-night game on Thursday.