Ahead of IPL 2020, KKR’s Tom Banton hits 5 sixes in a row in BBL

Sydney: Cricket fans are excited that an England batsman is coming to the Indian Premier League (IPL). He proved his big-hitting skills once again, on Monday (January 6) during the Big Bash League (BBL) Twenty20 tournament in Australia.

The 21-year-old Tom Banton smashed a 19-ball 56 (2x4, 7x6) for Brisbane Heat against Sydney Thunder. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans are excited.

Also read: Full KKR squad with salaries for IPL 2020

During the last month's IPL 2020 players auction, Banton was bought by the Kolkata franchise for Rs 1 crore. The wicketkeeper-batsman could open the batting for the former IPL champions.

Banton was on fire as he blasted five consecutive sixes off off-spinner Arjun Nair. After a dot ball off the first delivery in the fourth over bowled by Nair, Banton hit five sixes in a row to bring up his half century in just 16 balls.

This was the second fastest fifty in the history of the BBL. The record belongs to Chris Gayle, who brought up the 50-run mark in just 12 balls.

The match was reduced to eight overs per side and Banton-Chris Lynn pair blitzed 90 runs for the first wicket in just five overs.

Banton has so far played three T20Is for England. He made his debut against New Zealand in Nelson on November 5, 2019.