England add Tom Banton as cover for Dawid Malan

England batsman Tom Banton has been called upto the England squad as a cover for Dawid Malan, who has opted out of the One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. Malan, who played all three T20 Internationals (T20I) against Sri Lanka also did not feature in England's five-wicket victory in Chester-le-Street. Banton has been in terrific form in the T20 Blast this season. 

He scored a 47-ball century recently against Kent and before that, he slammed 77 off just 37 deliveries against Hampshire at Taunton. Somerset have announced on social media that Banton will miss the upcoming T20 Blast fixtures including the one scheduled to be played tonight Gloucestershire in Bristol.

The 22-year-old has played six ODIs for England, the last of which came in September 2020 against Ireland. He also has nine T20I caps to his name. 

England opened with Jonny Bairstow and Liam Livingstone in the first ODI against Sri Lanka. It is still unclear if Jason Roy will be fit enough to participate in the remaining two matches. If not, Banton could open along with Jonny Bairstow, paving way for Livingstone's return to the middle-order.

The third ODI and final will be played in Bristol on Sunday (July 4).