AS the 2023 season draws closer, Tom Banton is keen to cement his place in Somerset’s County Championship side, with a look forward to keeping his spot in England's limited over squads.

He told Somerset CCC: "I love playing red ball cricket.

"But I find it a bit more challenging at times than white-ball cricket. I love the togetherness of the team and how you’re fighting to win a game over four days. That’s an aspect I really enjoy.

“The satisfaction of doing well in that format is very high, and I feel that my century against Essex last year has given me great confidence going into the new season.”

With several new signings having arrived at the Cooper Associates County Ground over the winter, Banton knows he has to fight for his place.

“I know it’s not going to be easy, and I think we’re going to have to fight for our places more than perhaps we have had to in previous years. I know that if I’m doing well and scoring runs then hopefully I’ll get a chance.

“It’s not helped that I broke my finger and missed out on a lot of cricket but hopefully I’ll be back soon.”

Tom is also keen to retain the keeper’s gloves in white-ball cricket.

“I absolutely love wicket-keeping in white-ball cricket,” he explained. “Keeping is something I really want to do, and I’ve grown to love it.

"Over the winter I’ve worked hard on my keeping and worked on some drills that I like doing. As a result of that I feel that my keeping got way better, and I’ve found my love of keeping again.”

As well as seeking to excel for Somerset, Tom still has hopes of regaining his place in England’s limited overs squads.

"I’m desperate to get back into the England team but it’s not something I think about too much. I just want to focus on the present and do as well as I can for Somerset, rather than focusing on what’s coming up in the future.

“I believe that if I do well, score enough runs, take catches and contribute to winning games for Somerset, then that stuff takes care of itself. I’m just concentrating on what’s coming up next and getting my finger right because I can’t wait to get back playing for Somerset.”