Tom Banton has signed a new white ball contract with Somerset, securing his place at Taunton until the end of the 2028 season. The 27-year-old will now concentrate solely on limited overs formats, stepping away from red ball cricket with the county.
Banton, recently named in England’s T20 squad for the series against India, boasts impressive credentials with seven One Day Internationals and 35 T20 internationals under his belt. Since his debut for Somerset in July 2017, he has played 160 matches and made a significant mark, including a record-breaking score of 371 against Worcestershire last year.
Reflecting on his new deal, Banton shared, “I’m delighted to extend my stay with Somerset, though deciding to focus on white ball cricket was tough. Red ball cricket has been instrumental in my development, and some of my best memories, like the home victory over Surrey and setting the club’s highest first-class score, will stay with me forever.
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“I deeply value the County Championship and the passion it ignites in our Members and supporters. My decision follows extensive and positive discussions with Andy Hurry and Jason Kerr, and given the demands of playing across multiple formats, focusing on white ball cricket feels right for this stage of my career.
“I love playing for Somerset and thank the club and fans for their support. I look forward to contributing strong performances in the coming years.”
Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, praised Banton’s impact: “Tom has an incredible ability to influence games, making him highly sought-after in white ball cricket. His pivotal role in our Vitality Blast successes is testament to the energy he brings to our top order.
“We respect his choice to focus on enhancing his white ball skills and look forward to his continued contribution to Somerset’s limited overs achievements.”