KKR new-comer Tom Banton stuns fans with reverse-sweep against pacer in BBL 2019-20

The management of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would feel assured with young English wicket-keeper-batsman Tom Banton. The KKR released swashbuckling Australian opener Chris Lynn for the 2020 edition but would be convinced that Banton would be a worthy replacement.

The 21-year-old slammed 56 off just 19 balls for Brisbane Heat against Sydney Thunder in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia on Monday to earn the man of the match award.

Banton, who made his international debut against New Zealand last year and has played three T20Is, has a batting strike-rate of 164 plus in T20Is and Monday’s knock marked his sixth half-century in 25 T20 matches. His fifty was the second-fastest in the history of BBL and he added 90 runs with his captain Lynn in just five overs in the rain-curtained game.

He reached his half-century in only 16 balls and helped the Heat pose a total of 119 for 4 in eight overs after Lynn won the toss and elected to bat. In response, the home team was set a target of 77 in five overs but they could manage only 60 for 4 to lose by 16 runs.

Banton hit two fours and seven sixes in his innings but the boundary he hit off a reverse sweep against left-arm fast bowler Daniel Sams in the very third ball of the innings was something special. Banton eventually fell in the bowling of pacer Chris Tremain.

Remember that time Tom Banton played a reverse sweep off a fast bowler from the third ball of the match.

Yeah that was wild #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/QEB61Qno2t

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 6, 2020

Tom Banton has been in headlines for quite a while now

Banton, who will make his debut in the IPL this year, has been bought by KKR at a base price of Rs 1 crore. He finished as the second-highest scorer in the Vitality T20 Blast in England last year with 549 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 161.47. He also belted 454 runs in 11 Royal London One-Day Cup matches.

Other top IPL franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians also looked for the sensational hitter’s availability ahead of the players’ auction as he turned out to be one of the most talked-about players. As of now, the Kolkata Knight Riders will earnestly hope that Banton carries his magnificent form into IPL 2020.