T20 World Cup: Tom Banton says maturity is key to cracking England’s innings

Tom Banton thinks he’s older, wiser and better these days.

It has been seven years since the England batsman first caught the eye as a 19-year-old by hitting a stunning 71 off 37 balls to help Somerset chase down 204 against Surrey in the T20 Blast.

If the immaculate numbers from that day weren’t enough, a one-for-six reverse flick from Sam Curran – now an England team-mate – made some astute umpires take notice.

The following winter England selected Banton for their tour of New Zealand.

He retained his place the following summer, in Twenty20 and 50-over cricket, and was named as a new face to help take the 2019 World Cup winners into a new era.

Banton made 58 against Ireland and 71 in the T20 against Pakistan, but it was his only score above 50 in 15 matches.

Five more caps have come and gone in 2022, making this the 27-year-old’s current tour the third at international level.

His match-winning 63 not out in England’s five-wicket win over Scotland on Saturday, with his team’s T20 World Cup hopes at stake, may not have been his highest score, but it was his best knock for his country – a breakout innings in which he finally brought all that talent to bear by truly deciding a game on the biggest stage.

“I think he’s older and more mature, and he’s gained a better understanding of my game,” Banton said when asked what he’s doing differently this time.

“When I came into the scene, I remember at the beginning of that summer I was about to join the Somerset second team.

“Then six months later, I was playing for England and traveling around the world, which was great, but I had more understanding.

“I’ve just kind of grown up, I don’t know. I’ve learned a lot about myself. Not even anything to do with cricket.”