Tom Banton set to miss T20 Blast Finals Day after a “pretty serious” ankle injury sustained while warming up.
Tom Banton has been Somerset’s most important player this season. His heroics after coming to bat at 11 ensured that Somerset kept the County Championship interesting.
Banton scored 46 and had established a 71-run stand with Craig Overton. Somerset the beat Surrey in the dying embers of the final session to cut the lead at the top to just 8 points.
Following the euphoric victory, coach Jason Kerr broke the unfortunate news of Banton’s injury. He has called his injury “pretty serious” after he rolled his ankle in a football warm-up before the game.
“Tom will travel with us to T20 Finals Day, but is very unlikely to take part,” Kerr said. “His ankle injury looks pretty serious, but we are awaiting results of a scan to determine how bad it is.
“James Rew will come into the squad and I would be surprised if he doesn’t keep wicket for us. Tom is an incredible talent, but so is James and we believe he has a bright future in all formats.”
Somerset’s dramatic victory keeps them in touch with Surrey, the two-time defending champions. It also ensures that their hopes of a domestic treble are still alive after making the One-Day Cup finals
“It was a crazy hour at the end,” Somerset captain, Lewis Gregory, said. “There were periods when not much happened, but the lads hung in there. Jack Leach and Archie Vaughan were fantastic the whole game.
“To get a win with only a couple of minutes left in the match was very special. Four-day wins are some of the most pleasing you have as a cricketer because you work so hard for them.
“The coaches and myself said that we want to be in a position to challenge for trophies come September. The fact that we can still win three shows the calibre of players we have in te dressing room.”