Tom Banton Replaces Injured Jacob Bethell
The replacement of Jacob Bethell with Tom Banton adds a new dimension to England's batting lineup, and his recent form in the ILT20 will be crucial in the upcoming tournament, as England seeks to overcome their struggles in the ODI series against India and make a strong impression in the Champions Trophy.
England's cricket team has suffered a significant blow with the injury of 21-year-old all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a hamstring injury, and Tom Banton has been called in as his replacement.
Bethell's injury has raised concerns for his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), ahead of the upcoming season, as he was expected to be one of their top picks for the playing 11. England captain Jos Buttler has confirmed that Bethell is unlikely to be fit for the Champions Trophy, which starts in 10 days' time. The team has struggled to find form in their ODI series against India, with six defeats and one victory, and the final match is scheduled for Wednesday.
Tom Banton, a Somerset batter, has been in rich form, topping the ILT20 batting charts with 493 runs in 11 outings for MI Emirates. His inclusion in the team is a surprise, given his lack of recent one-day experience, but he is expected to play a key role in the final match. The team's struggles have been compounded by the absence of key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury.
With the deadline for announcing replacements to the 15-man Champions Trophy squad being February 12, England will need to find a permanent replacement for Bethell before the final squad submission deadline on February 10. The team will be hoping that Tom Banton can fill the gap left by Bethell's injury and help them turn their fortunes around in the Champions Trophy.
