SAM MORSHEAD picks out the key issues from the Royal London One-Day Cup final clash between Somerset and Hampshire at Lord's...
Last weekend, Tom Banton took club cricket bowling attacks for 19- and 12-ball fifties in successive days while playing for Taunton St Andrew’s.
This weekend, he took that explosive form onto the Lord’s stage with a fearless opening salvo which set Somerset’s chase into hypermotion.
Banton is a batsman in the mould of Jos Buttler, dynamic and inventive at the crease yet simultaneously blessed with tremendous hand-eye co-ordination and a free-flowing swing which generates tremendous velocity.
At the crease, he has an air of the Kevin Pietersen's, bent low to the ground in a near-crouch position as the bowler enters his delivery stride, easily able to step outside the line of the ball to attack the legside and supremely assured on the sweep.
The 20-year-old introduced himself to Fidel Edwards with a sweet six into the Grandstand, flicking his wrists with the casual air of a seasoned craps player, somehow sending the ball fully 70 metres.
On the drive, he pulled apart whatever Hampshire had to throw at him. And to top it all, he sweeps with more authority than Beckenbauer.
It is too easy to build young players fragile stages in the early throes of their careers, but this kid is special. Watch out, world.
Tom Banton was in excellent touch for Somerset
England’s national selector, Ed Smith, said at a press conference this week that his World Cup role is largely done following the announcement of the national squad.
He stayed true to his word by turning up at Lord’s on Saturday, rather than making the trip down to Southampton for the game against Australia, and with good reason.
There are a host of England door-knockers among the Hampshire and Somerset squads - Craig and Jamie Overton, Tom Alsop, Sam Northeast and Lewis Gregory among them - while Banton is destined for great things one day, as well.
With neither Somerset nor Hampshire known for their bright red, it was curious to see a section of supporters in the Mound Stand clad in the colour on Saturday.
As it turned out, the Oman Women’s squad were in the house, taking advantage of the generosity of the MCC, who had gifted the entire party tickets to the game.
The Omanis have been touring England this week, playing a friendly against the MCC at Watford Town.
Jamie Overton claimed three wickets
It’s funny how cricket can offer immediate shots at redemption.
When James Hildreth dropped Tom Alsop off Josh Davey - a regulation chance to his left at first slip - he might have wished the Lord’s turf to open up and swallow him whole.
The cricketing gods had different ideas.
The very next delivery, Davey found the edge once again and, in a near identical position, Hildreth completed the catch.
VISIT THE COUNTY HUB: Your one-stop shop for English domestic cricket
What a curious month this is for Jamie Overton.
Back from injury but not quite at a level where Somerset can guarantee him red-ball gametime, he made the loan switch to Northamptonshire on May 13.
However, here he was bowling his parent club to victory at a Lord’s final.
A clause in his loan deal ensured he remained available for Somerset in white-ball fare during his temporary stay at Wantage Road and the West Country club will be delighted they made such arrangements.
His 10 overs were fast, aggressive, disciplined and incisive; he picked up the crucial wicket of Rilee Rossouw and added two more on the way to figures of 3-48.
This evening he was one of the major reasons for Somerset ending a 14-year wait for a trophy.
Next weekend, he’ll be bouncing to the wicket in a Division Two game against Glamorgan at Wantage Road.
On the basis of this innings, It won’t be long before Somerset are calling him back to the four-day frame.
For more outstanding county coverage, try The Cricketer for three issues free this summer. Click here to sign up today
Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.