Tom Banton smashed 121 off 99 balls as England fought back from their heavy defeat in the first one-day international to post 355 for 6 against Australia in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
It was Banton's second hundred in one-day international cricket, and it came at exactly the moment England needed it. Two days earlier, England had been bowled out for 131 in Perth, and Banton's innings turned the series around, giving the tourists a total worth defending.
Opening the batting with Ben Duckett, Banton watched his partner fall for 9 in the fifth over. From there, he took charge. He reached his fifty off just 45 balls and brought up his hundred off 86 balls, striking 12 fours and four sixes in all.
Banton's 137-run stand with Joe Root for the second wicket was the backbone of England's innings. The pair added their runs in 136 balls, breaking a 47-year-old record for the highest second-wicket partnership by England against Australia in Australia, previously held by Geoff Boycott and Peter Willey.
Banton also became the first England opening batter to score 50 or more in a one-day international in Australia since Jonny Bairstow made 60 in Brisbane in 2018, underlining how rare a big opening innings has been for England on Australian soil.
The hundred ended in dramatic fashion. After hitting back-to-back sixes off Xavier Bartlett, Banton holed out to deep mid-wicket, caught by Cameron Green, for 121. His dismissal left England 212 for 4, but Jordan Cox and Will Jacks carried on the good work to lift the total to 355 for 6.
Banton's innings was the difference between the two England batting performances in this series. In Perth, England collapsed from 38 for 2 to 60 for 7. In Adelaide, Banton's aggression at the top of the order set the tone, and England never let Australia take control of the innings.
With 356 to chase, Australia must now produce the highest successful run chase of the series so far to seal it 2-0. Banton has given England a real chance to level the series and take it to a decider in Hobart.
Key Questions
How many runs did Tom Banton score in the 2nd ODI vs Australia? Tom Banton scored 121 runs off 99 balls, with 12 fours and four sixes, at Adelaide Oval on 15 November 2026.
Is this Tom Banton's first ODI hundred? No. It is Banton's second hundred in one-day international cricket. He reached it in 86 balls.
How did Tom Banton get out? Banton was caught by Cameron Green off Xavier Bartlett, after hitting back-to-back sixes off the same bowler.
What record did Banton and Root break? Banton and Root's 137-run stand broke a 47-year-old record for the highest second-wicket partnership by England against Australia in Australia.