Somerset County Cricket Club confirmed on June 24 that England international Tom Banton signed a new contract extension. This new agreement keeps the 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter at Taunton until the end of the 2028 season. Specifically, the deal transitions Banton to a white-ball only player for the county for the foreseeable future. Consequently, Banton will step away from the four-day County Championship to focus on limited-overs formats.
Banton made this decision after long discussions with Director of Cricket Andy Hurry and Head Coach Jason Kerr. He believes that focusing on white-ball cricket is the best approach for his career right now. However, he mentioned he’s not leaving red-ball cricket entirely.
Details of the New Somerset Contract
The new deal extends Banton’s stay at the Cooper Associates County Ground for two more years beyond his previous contract. Banton has spent his professional career at the club since joining the Somerset Academy in 2015. He has been an important part of the club’s success in the Vitality Blast and other shorter formats.
Andy Hurry praised Banton’s ability to change a game quickly. Hurry noted that Banton’s aggressive batting at the top of the order remains a key part of Somerset’s strategy. Therefore, the club fully supports his choice to specialise in white-ball development. Banton explained that the physical and mental demands of moving between different formats influenced his choice.
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Career Statistics and Achievements
Banton has built an impressive record since his Somerset T20 debut in 2017. He has now played 160 matches for the county across all formats. During this time, he has scored over 5,850 runs. In the Vitality Blast 2026 season, he has scored 199 runs with a strike rate of 178.
Banton made history by scoring 371 runs in a single innings against Worcestershire. This score stands as the highest individual first-class score ever recorded by a Somerset player. During that remarkable innings, he hit 53 fours and one six. Additionally, he shared a record fifth-wicket partnership of 371 runs with James Rew during the same match.
International Success and Franchise Experience
Banton played in various T20 leagues across the world. He has played for teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). He last played for MI Emirates in the ILT20 and has been roped in by Gujarat Titans for the 2026 IPL.
On the international stage, Banton has also played 35 T20I and 7 ODIs for England. In the 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, he scored an important 30 runs off 11 balls against the West Indies and an unbeaten half-century against Sri Lanka.
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Why Banton is Focusing on White-Ball Cricket
Signing a white ball only contract is becoming more common in modern cricket. “Red-ball cricket has helped me develop my game but the schedule is very busy,” Banton said. Five-day matches and 20-over matches require different skills and players often find it difficult to train for both.
Banton had earlier said he had fallen out of love with cricket during a tough time in 2022. But he found his passion for the game again in 2024, after finding form in franchise leagues. This move will help him manage his physical health after sustaining injuries. He sustained a finger injury that ruled him out of the 2026 IPL.
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