England win series as Banton delivers on potential — SkimNews
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- Tom Banton struck 126 from 105 deliveries, including 16 fours and five sixes, reaching his maiden international century in 95 balls after nearly five years out of the ODI side since his 2019 debut at age 20.
- England posted 355-7 with captain Harry Brook (77) and Jordan Cox (76, in for the injured Jos Buttler) contributing, then bowled Sri Lanka out for 132 in 29.1 overs to win by 223 runs — their largest ODI margin against Sri Lanka.
- Liam Dawson took 3-26 and Sonny Baker, recalled for his second ODI in place of Josh Tongue, removed Pathum Nissanka with his second delivery as Sri Lanka never recovered.
- Banton only opened because Jacob Bethell is injured and may lose his place when England begin a tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka on 20 October; he was previously told by England mentor Kevin Pietersen that he was 'wasting' his talent.
- Sri Lanka's fielding was costly — they dropped Root early and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis spilled a thick edge when Brook had seven — compounding their collapse.
- England sealed a fifth successive series win across formats this summer, a period that also saw the end of Bazball, Ben Stokes' Test retirement and Root's surprise return as Test skipper, with their ODI side now on a three-series winning streak heading towards next year's World Cup.
- Banton's celebration — standing with arms wide and looking to the sky after a standing ovation — echoed Pietersen's iconic 2004 Oval farewell; he credited his fiancée Lilly and her family for attending after his mother declined due to a self-imposed superstition.
Why it matters: For England's white-ball setup, the 223-run win — their biggest ODI margin over Sri Lanka — extends a three-series winning streak heading into winter tours of Pakistan, Australia and South Africa and next year's World Cup, providing rare continuity amid a summer of upheaval that included the end of Bazball and Stokes' Test retirement. For Banton individually, the century validates a five-year comeback from a player once hailed as England's next big thing, though his place remains precarious with Bethell's return looming for the Pakistan tri-series.
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