Banton still confident he can pass ‘toughest test in sport’
TOM BANTON says that breaking into England’s one-day World Cup-winning side is the toughest nut in sport to crack.
Somerset’s big-hitter has missed out so far, with scores of 11 and 15 in the Royal London one-day series against Ireland.
But today’s final leg of the trilogy at the Ageas Bowl gives the 21-year-old another chance to make his mark in an unfamiliar middle-order spot.
England wrapped up the series 2-0 on Saturday and Banton said: “It’s probably the most difficult sports team in the world to break into – especially if you’re trying to get in ahead of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow.All I can do is score as many runs as possible and see where that takes me.
“I’m trying not to put myself under too much pressure because it’s taken me a few games to get used to it every time I’ve gone up a level.
“I did not get above 40 in my first 10 innings when I started playing for Somerset – then I got a hundred.
“That gave me confidence and I never looked back. Hopefully that big score is not too far around the corner.
“I’ve never batted at No4 in my life and it does feel unnatural. But the tempo is something I’ll get used to.
“To play for England, I’m probably not going to be at the top of the order because the team is so strong there, but I’m trying to learn and enjoy it.” Reece Topley is out today with a groin injury.
ENGLAND: Roy, Bairstow, Vince, Banton, Billings, Morgan (c), Ali, Willey, T Curran, Rashid, Mahmood.
IRELAND: Stirling, Delany, Balbirnie (c), Tector, O’Brien, Campher, Tucker, Singh, McBrine, Young, Little.