Tom Banton Gets New Role as England Announce Playing XI for 1st Sri Lanka ODI
England have named their playing XI for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, with Tom Banton to open the batting in his debut international appearance at the Banks Homes Riverside in Durham on Tuesday, September 22.
Banton earns the opportunity in the top order with Jacob Bethell out for a while with a knee injury having had successful surgery this month. Bethell is targeting a return during England's white-ball tour of Australia in November.
After a 3-0 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, England go into the three-match ODI series with renewed confidence. The matches will be played in Durham, Leeds and London on September 22, 24 and 27 respectively.
Tom Banton Gets New Role as England Opener
The 27-year-old has played seven ODIs for England but now gets a chance to open in the format for the first time.
With extensive first-class and T20 experience of top-order batting, Banton's promotion provides the squad with another option while Bethell is out.
Ben Duckett is set to partner him at the top of the order with Joe Root at three while captain Harry Brook is at four. Jos Buttler and Will Jacks complete the middle-order.
Rehan Ahmed has also been drafted in ahead of experienced spinner Adil Rashid. Jamie Overton is the other all-rounder before Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue bowl England's pace attack.
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England Leave Out Adil Rashid and Jordan Cox
England have selected a strong pace attack for the opening ODI with Archer, Atkinson and Tongue all in the XI. Rashid, Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and uncapped seamer Henry Crocombe are the ODI squad members who have not made the starting XI.
The inclusion of Rehan Ahmed over Rashid gives England extra batting depth, with the leg-spinner capable of contributing lower down the order.
England's XI for 1st ODI vs SL
With Bethell out, Banton now has an opportunity to prove that he can be an option at the top of England's ODI batting order as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.