'I need to be playing cricket instead of sitting on the bench' - Tom Banton might skip IPL 2021

Tom Banton has been making a lot of news as an emerging player in cricket circles in the past few years. He has played a few T20 franchise leagues, notable ones being IPL and BBL. He represented Kolkata Knight Riders last season but didn’t get a lot of opportunities. After being released ahead of IPL Auction 2021, Banton opened up about his plans for this season of the IPL. 

Banton in an interaction revealed what he has been planning for the year ahead. The young batter spent his time during the IPL warming the benches, where he could have chosen to go to English county cricket and play for Somerset. Many English cricket experts had suggested that for the youngster as well. 

He revealed that he feels it is better for him now as a player to be on the field rather than on the benches. “Growing up as a kid the IPL was a tournament that I absolutely loved watching. But I feel like I’m at a stage now where I need to be playing cricket instead of sitting on the bench,” he was quoted as saying by ‘Sky Sports’.

It’s probably best if I play a few red-ball games for Somerset: Tom Banton

The 22-year-old played just two IPL matches in the 2020 season. He scored only 18 runs in those two games. He never made a lasting impression, something which had happened during the Big Bash League 2019-20, when he played for Brisbane Heat. 

 “The last year has taught me quite a bit, obviously all these tournaments are great but a lot of them I’ve been sitting on the sidelines and not really doing a huge amount. I miss batting and playing cricket if I’m being honest,” he added.

The England player revealed that he wants to play for Somerset instead of playing in the IPL. He also said that he hasn’t decided anything but will make a call soon. He also expressed that he wants to play Test cricket for England more than anything. “I feel at this point in my career it’s probably best if I play a few red-ball games for Somerset and get back into that because I do miss playing red-ball cricket and my ambition is still to play Test cricket,” he said. “We’ll have to wait and see. I still haven’t decided yet, but I’m just going to speak to a few people and try to decide from there.”