Despite twisting ankle, England's Tom Banton limps out to bat in heroic effort

Somerset’s Tom Banton showed immense courage and walked out to bat with injury against Surrey in their County Championship Division One match at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. On Day 3, Somerset were struggling on 153 for the loss of nine wickets with a lead of 149 in their first innings. Had Banton not come out to bat, Surrey would have got a target of 150 to chase down.

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But the 25-year-old Banton took the field after limping out to bat with an injured ankle. Jack Leach and Banton have put on an unbeaten partnership of 41 runs for the 10th wicket as Somerset extended their lead to 190 at Stumps on the third day. Banton smacked four fours and stayed not out on a run-a-ball 28. Leach held one end up with a knock of 13 off 36 balls.

"Tom went over awkwardly playing football in the warm-up this morning and, as a consequence, couldn't take the field. We will get him scanned tomorrow and will have more information by the end of play. His heroics in batting today show how passionate he is about the club,” Andy Hurry, Somerset's director of cricket, was quoted as saying.

Here’s Tom Banton’s video

Banton coming to bat was reminiscent of Nathan Lyon’s heroics in the second Test of the Ashes last year at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. Lyon tore his half, but went out to bat amid a rousing reception at the Home of Cricket. Lyon built a valuable partnership of 15 with Mitchell Starc as Australia took a 2-0 series lead with a 43-run win.

As far as Somerset are concerned, they are currently placed second in the table with 169 points and a net run rate of +0.216 thanks to wins in four out of 11 matches. Their remaining matches are against Lancashire and Hampshire.

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