Nasser Hussain has lauded the "second coming" of England batter Tom Banton and says the appointment of new white-ball mentor Kevin Pietersen could be key to his development in the middle order. Banton top-scored for England with an unbeaten 52 off 24 balls in an impressive innings, combining well with skipper Harry Brook (23 off 8) after Jos Buttler (30 off 16) had become the first player to make 15,000 T20 runs - as the home side sauntered past Sri Lanka's modest 145-9 with 7.5 overs to spare. The half-century was Banton's third since re-entering the white-ball set-up as a middle-order batter, having played as an opener in his early career - a transition Hussain lauded on Sky Sports.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "Banton has been really good in his second coming [after moving from opener to the middle order]," said Hussain. "Everyone talks about what [white-ball mentor] Kevin Pietersen can do for Harry Brook, but I think Pietersen could be good for Banton. "KP raved about Banton when he came through at Somerset but then he fell away and KP made a couple of comments saying he had to work hard.
"He has worked hard and we are now seeing the rewards of that. KP will now be saying, 'keep improving'. That's what great players do." Sky Sports Cricket's Kumar Sangakkara also praised Banton's development, adding: "He was just exceptional.
Anything that was pitched full, he cleared his front leg. Anything that was on the stumps, straight down the ground. "Even with pace, he's got that power and that timing to really make a difference.
I think he was exceptional. His development, especially against spin, has been brilliant for England." Hussain was also complimentary of Liam Dawson's performance after the spinner took 3-32 in Sri Lanka's innings, including a crucial two wickets in two balls when the tourists' openers were going well - an impact that Hussain felt changed the course of the match. "England just outplayed Sri Lanka in every department," Hussain added.
"At 55-0 after five [overs], you thought Sri Lanka are actually going to put on a showing here and maybe test England. "But it was Liam Dawson with two in an over [that changed the course of the match] - and on a ground where sometimes bowling spin isn't easy and sides often leave out their spinner. "He's a very smart cricketer.
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