England decision for Champions Trophy squad leaves fans divided - "absolute lunacy"

England person replaced injured all-rounder Jacob Bethell with Tom Banton, but with 3 specializer keepers already successful the squad, fans are divided implicit the determination up of the Champions Trophy

England fans person been near divided implicit the determination to regenerate injured Jacob Bethell with Tom Banton for the Champions Trophy.

Brendon McCullum was dealt a important stroke conscionable days earlier the tourney arsenic Bethell suffered a hamstring wounded during the archetypal one-day planetary against India. The young all-rounder was England’s standout performer successful the lucifer with 51 runs and a wicket to his name.

Losing an all-rounder similar Bethell, who offers extent with some bat and ball, near England with a large void successful their squad which McCullum has opted to capable with Somerset right-hander Banton, who had not featured for the ODI broadside since 2020. The 25-year-old joined the ODI squad successful India and played a portion successful the last lucifer of the bid connected Wednesday, scoring 38 runs disconnected 41 balls, and volition caput to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

Banton’s inclusion marks a astonishing twist successful England’s squad selection. Once considered 1 of the country's astir promising white-ball players, the 25-year-old has struggled to cement his spot successful the nationalist team. With conscionable six ODI appearances to his name, successful which helium has scored 134 runs astatine an mean of 26, his planetary vocation has been mostly underwhelming.

However, a beardown showing successful the precocious concluded International League T20 successful United Arab Emirates, wherever helium smashed 2 centuries, has brought him backmost into the conversation. Banton's inclusion has drawn disapproval though arsenic England’s squad already features 3 designated wicket-keeper batters, including Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Jamie Smith.

One frustrated instrumentality summed up the determination societal media, writing: “We’ve already got 4 wicket-keeper batters, let’s regenerate an all-rounder with different mitt man. Must beryllium immoderate half-decent all-rounder somewhere. Nothing against Tom Banton, conscionable bizarre enactment policy.”

Others agreed, with 1 writing: "They already person all-round options, if thing a specializer batter is needed. Carse, Overton and Livingstone are present." Another branded Banton's calll-up implicit the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Sam Hain a "mockery", portion 1 instrumentality described McCullum's telephone arsenic "absolute lunacy".

Some fans were much optimistic, believing Banton to beryllium worthy his call-up, with 1 stating: "He's a overmuch much rounded subordinate present that he's played reddish shot for the past fewer years." But 1 disgruntled protagonist changeable back: "All rounders against the top players successful the world are cannon fodder! We request our champion batters and bowlers."

Some fans suggested Will Jacks oregon Sam Curran would beryllium amended replacements, portion determination was plentifulness of enactment for Liam Dawson. But others pointed retired Banton's caller signifier successful UAE's ILT20 and claimed it was much McCullum's strategy which was questionable.

"Banton is amended than Bethell anyway," 1 commented. "Problem is the equilibrium arsenic the batting conscionable falls disconnected a cliff erstwhile you get down to 7." Another agreed, saying: "Yep Banton worthy the telephone up. Poor replacement though. They person 2 choices now, 7 batsmen with Livingstone arsenic 5th bowler and Root 6th (very risky); oregon six batsmen and play Overton arsenic 5th bowler with Livingston and Root arsenic sixth and seventh options which is simply a unspeakable batting lineup."