Following his record-breaking County Championship triple century over the weekend, Tom Banton has drawn calls from fellow-England players to 'buy a lottery ticket' after posting a picture celebrating hitting a hole-in-one on the golf course this week.
Banton hit 371 for Somerset in their opening fixture of the 2025 County Championship against Worcestershire, setting a new record for the highest-ever first-class score for the club. The innings was also the second-highest ever first-class score by a No.5 batter, and continued Banton's excellent red-ball form from last season, as well as his white-ball runs over the winter.
Days after the end of the match, however, which ended in a draw after Somerset were unable to find a final wicket on the evening of day four, Banton celebrated another achievement. He posted a photo on his Instagram account celebrating hitting a hole-in-one at Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club. The photo drew comments of disbelief from teammates and international cricketers further afield.
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"Buy a lottery ticket," wrote Stuart Broad, advice that was echoed by Essex bowler Sam Cook who wrote: "Probably get on the Euromillions if I were you".
England Test captain Ben Stokes wrote: "Probs [sic] thinned it, hit the lip of the bunker smashed the pin and dropped... Some week lad". There were also comments of disbelief at the week Banton has had from Ben Duckett, Sam Billings, Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan among others.
The most comprehensive advice, however, came from Jimmy Neesham, who wrote: "Retire now, it won't get better".
Speaking after completing his triple-century at Taunton on Saturday evening (April 5), Banton said: "This is the best day I've had in cricket and will probably be the best day I'll ever have."
While repeating both his achievements this week is unlikely, Banton could be in line for further successes. After being recalled to England's white-ball squad over the winter, there has been speculation over whether he will be called-up to the Test squad later this summer. Banton will also be an integral part of Somerset's bid to boost their Championship campaign early in the season, as they bid to make a sustained title challenge.
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