England have made one change to their squad for the ODIs against India, recalling a batter four years after his last international match in the format.
After a four-wicket loss in the first ODI in Nagpur, England shuffled their pack for the second of three ODIs, in Cuttack. Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton came into the team, replacing Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Jacob Bethell.
Jacob Bethell suffers hamstring injury
Shortly after the toss, it was confirmed that spin-bowling all-rounder Bethell was not playing due to a hamstring issue. The extent of Bethell's injury is not yet known, but there have been reports that it is serious and could jeopardise the player's Champions Trophy campaign.
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Tom Banton called up to England ODI squad
In any case, it is significant enough for England to call for reinforcements. A media release from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) shortly after the toss read, "England Men have called up Somerset batter Tom Banton as cover for the third ODI against India in Ahmedabad, which starts on Wednesday.
"Warwickshire batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who featured in the first ODI defeat in Nagpur, has sustained a left hamstring injury. The injury will be assessed further when the team arrive in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Also read: Explained: Why first-choice spinner Kuldeep Yadav is not playing the second England ODI
"Banton, who last played for England in an ODI in August 2020, has been in outstanding form in T20 franchise cricket. He is currently the leading run-scorer in the UAE ILT20 competition, where he has amassed 493 runs from 11 innings at an average of 54.77, including two centuries.
"He is set to arrive in India tomorrow (Monday)."
When did Banton last play an ODI?
Banton last represented England in January 2022, but that was in the T20 format. He has played six ODIs, the last of which came on August 4, 2020 against Ireland. Batting at No.5, he made 58 off 51 balls to help his side to 328, before Ireland chased it down with a ball to spare.
That was also Banton's last List A fixture. Since then, he has been active in first-class and T20 cricket, and famously helped Somerset to victory over Surrey on one leg in the County Championship last September.
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