Tom Banton will undergo an MRI scan after injuring his ankle during the warm-up on day three of Somerset's crucial match against County Championship title rivals Surrey in Taunton.
Banton was supported off the field by two members of support staff before play, having sustained the injury while warming up with the rest of the side. He was later seen on crutches and did not come out to bat at No.5 during Somerset's second innings. Kasey Aldridge was instead moved up the order to cover his absence. It was later announced that Banton would undergo an MRI on his ankle tomorrow (September 12), to assess the damage.
The injury comes at a frustrating time for Banton, having scored his second hundred of the County Championship season on day one of the fixture. He notched 132 in Somerset's first innings as they were bowled out for 317. Somerset and Surrey are due to face off on T20 Blast finals day on Saturday as well, with Banton now a doubt for that clash.
It's been a successful season for Banton, who is in the top ten run scorers in Division One. Having been fast-tracked into the England squad at the age of 20 in 2020, and tipped by many to be a future international all-format superstar, Banton has since fallen away from the international radar.
He last played for England in 2022 and currently only has a handful of international appearances to his name. He had also struggled in red-ball cricket, and before this season had only one century in the format since his debut in 2018. However, his returns this season have not only been instrumental for Somerset to challenge for the title, but also for Banton to reassert his all-format potential.
His injury is also frustrating for Somerset, coming during a match against their Championship rivals. Surrey went into the fixture 24 points ahead of Somerset in the table, with Somerset needing a win and a good handful of bonus points from the fixture to remain in contact with the division leaders.
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