Banton ton inspires England batting revival to level ODI series against Australia

By SABC Sport
15th November 2026

England bounced back to hammer Australia by 135-runs courtesy of a Tom Banton century in the second One Day International at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday to level three match series.

The England openers began cautiously in the first powerplay before Ben Duckett fell to Xavier Barlett in the fifth over, caught by Cooper Connolly at point with 19 runs on the board.

Joe Root joined Tom Banton at the crease as the duo consolidated the innings for the visitors, with Banton being the aggressor during the partnership.

The pair put on a 137-run stand from 136-balls for the second wicket prior to Root [62 off 68 balls] falling victim to a Liam Scott catch at cover from a Conolly delivery in the 28th over with the score at 156/2.

Captain Harry Brook was the next to be dismissed, bowled out by Riley Meridith after chopping onto his stumps for just five runs shortly before Banton reached his second ODI century from 86 balls.

However, Banton [121 off 99] was caught out by a diving forward catch by Cameron Green at deep midwicket following a pull shot in the 35th over.

Wicketkeeper Jordan Cox and Will Jacks steadied the ship with a 102-run partnership in less than 11.3 overs together at the crease before Cox [67 off 49] was dismissed by Barlett, caught by Matt Renshaw.

Sam Curran hit a quick 14 off nine deliveries prior to becoming Spencer Johnson's first victim of the match, caught by Connolly.

Jacks [54 not out from 40 balls] and Gus Atkinson [13] unbeaten seventh wicket stand guided the visitors to an impressive total of 355/6 from their first innings.

In response, the Aussies found themselves 13/3 after four overs with opening bowlers Gus Atkinson getting Travis Head [7] caught at slip by Joe Root before getting Connolly caught out for a duck two balls later.

Sonny Baker got rid of skipper Mitchell Marsh [2] in the very next over, falling to a brilliant diving catch by Root at first slip before Atkinson claimed his third scalp, dismissing Josh Inglis in the seventh over to leave the home side struggling at 29/4.

Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green eventually got the runs going for the hosts, putting together a 98-run partnership for the fifth wicket which was broken by Liam Dawson after trapping Renshaw [63 off 74 balls] LBW.

Jack Edwards [17] joined Green at the crease but was bowled out by Sam Curran with Xavier Bartlett being caught by Banton for a golden duck the very next ball to put the score at 169/7.

Green [64 off 82] was stumped off Dawson's bowling shortly afterwards, to leave the tailenders an improbable task.

However, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson and Riley Meridith managed to add a fighting 47-runs for the last two wickets but were duly dismissed with Atkinson [4/28] and Jofra Archer [1-26] wrapping up the tail.

The result sees England square the three match ODI series 1-1 ahead of the decisive encounter at the Ninja Stadium in Hobart on Wednesday.