Tom Banton, who was phenomenal in Big Bash will be an exciting prospect for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) according to their chief mentor David Hussey. KKR’s opening combination is under discussion and the possibility of Shubman Gill and even Andre Russell partnering Sunil Narine cannot be entirely ruled out. Tom Banton is another option as he had also opened for England.
Sunil Narine started the 2020 Caribbean Premier League with two half-centuries in 4 matches aggregating 140 runs at a strike rate of 150.5, before missing games to have kidney stones removed. He has so far featured in 75 matches where he took 77 wickets besides scoring 621 runs in CPL.
Tom Banton Will Be Excited To Watch: David Hussey
KKR had made exciting signings but the veterans like skipper Dinesh Karthik, all-rounders Sunil Narine and Andre Russell and spinner Kuldeep Yadav would be crucial for KKR’s success and will determine whether a third Indian Premier League (IPL) title comes in the UAE this time.
“I am excited about all the signings. The overseas players haven’t arrived yet but we are excited to see Tom Banton play live, he was phenomenal in the Big Bash.” said Hussey on Sunday.
“Calling Banton the ‘X-factor’ twice in a 12-minute session, Hussey said, “he is new version or better version of Kevin Pietersen.”
Tom Banton, 21, is a wicket-keeper batsman like skipper Dinesh Karthik. He played for Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Big Bash League last season and had a strike rate of 176.98. He had also scored three half-centuries in seven games. Tom Banton debuted for England in T20I against New Zealand in 2019. Against Pakistan last month, he scored 71 off 42 balls and 46 off 31 balls opening the innings for England in T20Is.
David Hussey Feels Eoin Morgan And Dinesh Karthik To Have Good Relationship
With Australian vice-captain Pat Cummins and England captain Eoin Morgan in the side, skipper Dinesh Karthik should not be wanting for inputs on the field. David Hussey even referred to Eoin Morgan once as vice-captain and said the presence of a 50-over World Cup-winning captain should benefit Dinesh Karthik immensely. Eoin Morgan’s England won the 2019 World Cup in England.
“We do expect them to have a good relationship so I think he (Morgan) will go a long way in winning many games for Kolkata Knight Riders during a very tight tournament,” said Hussey, 43.
“Russell, Karthik and Morgan will be the anchors in the batting line-up, he said. “If Dre Russ comes at 3 and bats 60 balls, he might actually make a double hundred. He is a fantastic player, probably also the heartbeat of the team as well.”
In hot, windy conditions with the wickets tiring at the three venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, David Hussey said spinners would play an important part.
“We have a well-rounded bowling attack,” he said.
KKR have Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson and some Indian pacers while Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav are the frontline spinners with Varun Chakravarthy is another spin option. KKR skipper can also rely on Nitish Rana’s off-spin.
David Hussey and head coach Brendon McCullum were part of KKR from 2008-2010 when they were a struggling unit plagued by many issues.
“We didn’t know each other very well at that stage but we get on really well now.” he said.
David Hussey said he could focus on the batting line-up but described his job as an all-round role and mostly through personal interactions, he will try to increase the potential of cricketers by staying relaxed in pressure situations.
The cricketers are raring to go and play and he said that it is a privilege to be able to play in the time of Covid-19.