Tom Banton drafted in as replacement for Jacob Bethell ahead of final ODI, reason revealed

The young England batter Tom Banton is set to make his long-awaited ODI return to the England squad for the upcoming third and last ODI of the three-match series against India. The wicketkeeper-batter has been called as cover for young batter Jacob Bethell in the last fixture of the ongoing ODI series.

Banton made his last ODI appearance for England in August 2020 against Ireland in Southampton ODI. He will be a part of the Three Lions squad for their last ODI ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and Dubai.

Jacob Bethell’s injury makes way for Tom Banton

The English management was forced to make this decision after the young batter Jacob Bethell sustained a left hamstring pull during the first ODI of the series in Nagpur. The batter’s injury will be monitored and assessed by the medical team upon arrival in Ahmedabad for the last T20I.

Speaking of Banton’s recent form in limited-overs cricket, he has been in brilliant batting form in the franchise cricket leagues. The batter smashed 493 runs in 11 innings in the International League T20 in UAE. He scored these runs with an amazing batting average of 54.77, hitting two centuries.

The 26-year-old has played six ODIs for England, alongside appearing in 14 T20 internationals. He has scored 134 runs in five ODI innings, with an average of 26.80, hitting a half-century. Besides that, he has aggregated 327 runs in 14 innings, with an average of 23.35, including two half-centuries.

Returning to the ongoing three-match ODI series between India and England, the hosts are currently leading the series by 1-0 after a 4-wicket win in the first ODI. Both teams are eyeing strengthening their preparations for the upcoming highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Following the conclusion of the ongoing ODI series, India and England will head to Pakistan and Dubai, respectively for their campaigns in the upcoming ninth edition of the Champions Trophy.