³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Somerset wicketkeeper-batter Tom Banton says he is excited to stay at the club after signing a new two-year contract extension.

Banton, 25, has averaged just under 50 in the County Championship this year and ended the season on a personal high with an outstanding 132 against eventual champions Surrey earlier this month.

"I'm very excited about it, " Banton told ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Somerset about his new deal. "It's obviously been a very good year for the club.

"Obviously we haven't come away with a trophy but I think going into the last month we were speaking about trying to compete. I know we haven't won a final but, look, that's cricket."

Buckinghamshire-born Banton made his T20 England international debut at just 20 but has not been involved with the white-ball side since 2022.

However, after a superb season batting at five, Banton has not given up hopes on being back in the England set-up sooner rather than later.

"I think everyone's goal is to do that [play for their country] but I don't want to think too far ahead," he added.

"I'm just enjoying playing playing cricket. Trying to win games for whoever it is, especially Somerset."

And Banton puts his upturn in form down to maturing over the past 12 months.

"I feel like in the past I would have probably thrown my wicket away a little bit easier but we've got such a strong batting line-up," he added.

Banton missed Somerset's final five matches of the season after rolling his ankle during the warm-up on day three of their victory over Surrey.

"I was gutted when it happened," he said.

"It was obviously through a football injury in the warm-up which you hear a lot of bad press about but it's something that brings so much energy in the morning especially when the season is so long.

"Luckily it was at the end of the season so I've only missed a few games but hopefully the boys can finish strong this week."