The Hundred: Tom Banton talks Chris Gayle and golf ahead of draft

Posted November 21, 2019

Tom Bantons magnificent summer has made him an England call-up and choice for The Hundred. Ahead of the live draft, we talked to the Somerset star.
The 20-year-old was among those emerging talents from the 2019 year – scoring 549 runs at the Vitality Blast at an average of 42.23 plus a gorgeous strike-rate of 161.43.
He is currently reaping the rewards for his prodigious performances and also scored a critical half-century in the Royal London One-Day Cup victory of Somerset in May.
Exactly how excited can you participate with The Hundred?
I am really excited about it! A new arrangement, Clearly, a contest, it is going to be fascinating to see how things go in the first few games.
Who would you expect the Welsh Fire draft and you to perform?
Im chuffed to find Jonny Bairstow has joined us out, so I will find the chance to open the point. From the draft, in case we could add Chris Gayle, which will be amazing! Seeing him Ive seen him destroy all types of attacks that were bowling. That would be some order that is top! I have never been engaged in a draft. On the evening, which is pretty cool, Ill be concerned there as an icon player.
Which of your England mates on other groups do you want to get one ?
I am eager to confront all of them, as many of them and I havent played – understandably, they are not actually round on the county circuit that far. I played Sam Curran plus Surrey a couple of times before this year (scoring 71 and 47) and this was a good battle, therefore itd be helpful to come up from him .
An England call-up and selected for Your Hundred; can you believe the year?
The summer was great! I would not have believed you, In the event youd said at the onset of the year which this would happen. See exactly where things go and I have just got to keep improving, although I havent actually looked back since.
What type of audiences are you anticipating for Your Hundred?
So that I do not think well have some trouble cardiff is famous for vocal and large audiences! But therell be a new audience attending as well, ideally, with all the competition appealing to families, particularly young kids. Its very important to build the cricket population that is out there.
Could it become a success that is massive just like T20 to come?
Im not sure if it is going to grow rather like T20 has – no-one knows that in this point – but I see it being a real success. The very first couple of games might be a bit odd to watch – for us as players also, trying to suss out all the principles – but I am really looking forward to it.
You most excite?
Seeing the kits all they have been released is pretty cool. Everything is just a bit bigger and brighter.
To those new into the Welsh Fire, what will you bring to The Hundred and the game?
I will get them off to good starts at the top of the order. I am also a wicketkeeper so that brings an additional aspect to my match.
And what is a fun fact about you outside of the sport of cricket?
Im pretty horrible, although I love to believe I am great at golf! A few of the England boys have been carrying their golf things to New Zealand – hopefully theyll give me a few pointers, although that I do not think Im pretty good enough to mix it however.
100 bouncers or one over against him?
One over with no equipment, I suppose. A year ago I faced one bouncer from him, and that has been already!
100 hundreds in conquer or just one ton?
That is a tricky one. No, Im going to go with the 100 hundreds but although I should say the perfect thing.
100 chillis or one ghost chilli?
1 ghost chilli. One hundred percent.
100 bungee jumps or one sky dive out of space?
I dont know whether I could bring myself to bungee jump 100 times, so I suppose it would need to be the sky dive from distance, reluctantly.
100 duck-sized horses or a duck?
1 horse-sized duck. I guess that will be simpler to manage.
The Hundred Draft – Live will be displayed on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky One, Main Event & from 7pm on Sunday. It is going to also be accessible via Sky Sports Facebook and YouTube stations, in addition to live on the Sky Sports app and streamed on skysports.com.

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