Tom Banton season will start later following injury setback
Somerset and England batter Tom Banton faces up to a month on the sidelines after breaking his finger.
Banton remains a relatively new figure on the international scene having played 14 T20 and six one-day internationals since he burst on to the scene with a prolific 2019 season.
The Somerset opener made his England debut in November of that year, and was included on the most recent tour of the West Indies this winter, where he played five times, scoring one half-century.
However, he now faces a spell on the sidelines after a sustaining a broken finger in a warm up game.
“I’ve just broken my finger so I’ll be out for a month,” Banton told the PA news agency.
“Pre-season on the second day in the slips I dived to my left and I dropped it (the ball). I’ve had a few X-rays and it’s fractured so I’ve just seen a specialist and they’re advising a few weeks off because if I do it again I might need an operation.
“This is my second finger I’ve done, so (it’s) not ideal.”
The LV= Insurance County Championship starts on Thursday and Banton was left disappointed after targeting an improvement in long format cricket over the winter.
“Being realistic, my red ball is probably not where it needs to be (but) I feel like it’s definitely improving,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve come back as a new player this year. I’ve worked on a few things in the winter technically and a lot of things have changed, which I’ve seen the rewards (of) through pre-season.
“So hopefully I can take that into when I’m back playing.”
The England youngster was retained by Welsh Fire in an announcement earlier today, with Banton going at the highest price point of GBP 125,000.
He will be joined in Cardiff by Joe Clarke, who was the first pick, while Australian spinner Adam Zampa and South African batter David Miller will also be heading to Cardiff as the overseas signings alongside Pakistan paceman Naseem Shah.
Banton believes impressing at The Hundred can be important for England selection, with the T20 World Cup taking place this year and the 50-over World Cup next year.
He added: “I think it’s huge. For me I’m not putting too much pressure on myself to be telling myself I have to score runs every game to get into that England team.
“For me it’s if I work hard, the game will respect you and you should do well more times than not.
“Obviously the teams are very good as well, so I’m not going to play. It’s probably more when the boys are injured or guys come to the end of their career then hopefully I can step in and give it my best shot.
“So hopefully I want to be ready for if that day does come around.”
Latest
-
News
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India â Zak Crawley
England will aim to get âBazballâ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Rootâs early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope âitchingâ to get back scoring runs after âfrustratingâ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG âamazingâ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Womenâs Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshireâs County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from Englandâs Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be âlife changingâ
Hartleyâs second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one Englandâs greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.