KOLKATA, FEB 15: Tom Banton, who carried England to victory in the T20 World Cup against Scotland on Saturday in Kolkata, finally came of age as an international batsman after a stop-start career.
His place had been under threat from Ben Duckett after he scored only two against both Nepal and the West Indies in his first World Cup.
But coach Brendon "Baz" McCullum and captain Harry Brook stuck with Banton, usually an opener, after encouraging him to become an innings "finisher" by dropping down two places.
They were rewarded in a tense clash with his match-winning 63 not out at Eden Gardens, Banton's most accomplished knock in an England shirt.
Banton strode to the middle in the must-win clash with England wobbling at 13-2, chasing 153, and was still there at the end.
"I think coming off the back of two low scores, I just wanted to put my hand up and try and get the boys over the line," Banton told reporters.
Banton admitted he had nerves at the start of his innings after his previous low scores. "AFP
