Tom Baton guides MI Emirates to commanding win over Desert Vipers
English batter soaks up the pressure to score record second century of ILT20 Season 3
Abu Dhabi: Patience pays seems to be the motto for Tom Banton, who etched his name in DP World ILT20 history, after becoming the first batter to score two centuries in the competition. The English batter guided MI Emirates to a commanding 154-run victory over table-toppers Desert Vipers at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The triumph also marked the second highest margin for a victory in the DP World ILT20.
Banton combined with Andre Fletcher to construct the highest stand for any wicket in T20s on UAE soil at 198 runs. Andre Fletcher remained unbeaten on 96 runs, while Banton scored 105 runs to steer the MI Emirates to 228/2 - the second highest total in the DP World ILT20 history.
Good technique is the key
Banton, who holds the Green Belt for the hightest scorer in the tounament, exhibited the basics of batting remains the same, even in the shortest format.
“I didn’t get off to a flier. I just knew the longer I stayed, the better chance I had. Sometimes you don’t time it as well as you’d like, and sometimes you do. As a top-order batter, you come up against very good bowlers, so having a good technique is important. It’s about looking at the match situation and scenario, not just teeing off. We came into this game on the back of two losses and were a bit under pressure. It’s a special night for MI Emirates, but we don’t want to take it for granted,” 26-year-old Banton said, a lesson for those aspiring to play at the highest level.
In response to the big target, the Vipers only managed 74 matching the record for the lowest score across three seasons of the DP World ILT20. Muhammad Rohid made early inroads as he sent back Fakhar Zaman for only seven runs in the second over. Rohid went on to claim Sam Curran and Azam Khan later in the innings as well to finish with figures of 3 for 24.
Meanwhile, Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed the dangerous Alex Hales, while Alzarri Joseph bagged Dan Lawrence and Adam Hose to leave the Vipers reeling at 32/5 by the end of the powerplay.
Going off the track
With only two batters crossing double figures the Vipers were eventually bowled out for 74 runs in 12.3 overs. Dan Mousley picked up two wickets, while Farooqi and Alzarri picked up a wicket each to sweep up the tail.
Captaining the Desert Vipers in place of Lockie Ferguson who was rested for the encounter, Sam Curran said: “We just get the game out of the way and move on. That can happen in cricket. We were a little off with our fielding and energy. It’s such a quick tournament, and we play again the day after tomorrow, so we’ll have another chance. We can bounce back, and there’s no need to panic. It’s about learning and reflecting. Both of them played well, and I’m glad to see my fellow Englishman, and Fletcher, playing so well.”
Brief scores:
MI Emirates beat Desert Vipers by 154 runs. MI Emirates 228/2 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 105, Andre Fletcher 96 not out, Muhammad Waseem 19, Mohammad Amir 1 for 36) Desert Vipers 74 in 12.3 overs (Azam Khan 12, Sam Curran 11, Muhammad Rohid 3 for 24, Alzarri Joseph 3 for 17, Dan Mousley 2 for 8, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2 for 10).
