Banton’s maiden ODI century propels England to 223-run win over Sri Lanka
Tom Banton scored his maiden ODI century as England beat Sri Lanka by 223 runs at the Kia Oval in the Third Metro Bank one-day international on 27 September 2026, sealing the series victory.
The win completed England’s summer programme with a series success and strengthened their run of series results; the match finished with England 355-7 (50 overs) to Sri Lanka 132 (29.1 overs). Banton’s 126, Harry Brook’s 77 and Jordan Cox’s 76 underpinned England’s total, while Liam Dawson took 3-26 for the hosts.
Banton, 27, reached 100 in 95 balls and finished on 126 from 105 deliveries, celebrating with arms outstretched as he walked off at the Oval. The article describes the innings as his first international century and notes he had been viewed as a rising star after a 2019 debut before losing form and spending almost five years out of England’s 50-over side.
The innings contained aggressive shot-making and variety: he hit 16 fours and five sixes, played reverse sweeps and powerful pulls and scored heavily through the covers as England rebuilt after an early loss. Banton shared a 150-run partnership in 117 balls with captain Harry Brook, who made 77, and Jordan Cox, brought in for the injured Jos Buttler, contributed a 52-ball 76.
England recovered from an early wobble — Ben Duckett was bowled in the second over and Joe Root made 18 from 37 balls, enduring a sequence of 13 consecutive dot balls — to post 355-7. The scoreboard progression reached 108-2 after 25 overs before the tempo increased.
Sri Lanka collapsed to 132 all out in 29.1 overs; Pathum Nissanka was removed by Sonny Baker two balls into the second over, and Kusal top-scored with 35. The tourists also dropped chances, having put down Root earlier and missed a thick edge off Brook when he had seven, and Liam Dawson finished with figures of 3-26 after being selected ahead of Rehan Ahmed.
Banton’s selection as opener was enabled by Jacob Bethell’s injury; the piece notes he may not keep his place when England begin a tri-series in Pakistan on 20 October that also involves Sri Lanka. The report adds that England signed off a turbulent summer — which featured off-field issues, the end of "Bazball", Ben Stokes' retirement and Root’s surprise return as Test skipper — with a fifth successive series win, while the ODI team notched a third series win in a row as they build towards next year’s World Cup and prepare for further series in Pakistan, Australia and South Africa this winter.
