England vs Sri Lanka: Nasser Hussain says new white-ball mentor Kevin Pietersen could be key for ‘second coming’ of Tom Banton

England vs Sri Lanka: Nasser Hussain says new white-ball mentor Kevin Pietersen could be key for ‘second coming’ of Tom Banton | Cricket News

September 18, 2026:

England vs Sri Lanka: Nasser Hussain says new white-ball mentor Kevin Pietersen could be key for ‘second coming’ of Tom Banton | Cricket News

Nasser Hussain has lauded the “second coming” of England batter Tom Banton and says the appointment of new white-ball mentor Kevin Pietersen could be key to his development in the middle order.

Banton top-scored for England with an unbeaten 52 off 24 balls in an impressive innings, combining well with skipper Harry Brook (23 off 8) after Jos Buttler (30 off 16) had become the first player to make 15,000 T20 runs – as the home side sauntered past Sri Lanka’s modest 145-9 with 7.5 overs to spare.

The half-century was Banton’s third since re-entering the white-ball set-up as a middle-order batter, having played as an opener in his early career – a transition Hussain lauded on Sky Sports.

“Banton has been really good in his second coming [after moving from opener to the middle order],” said Hussain.

“Everyone talks about what [white-ball mentor] Kevin Pietersen can do for Harry Brook, but I think Pietersen could be good for Banton.

“KP raved about Banton when he came through at Somerset but then he fell away and KP made a couple of comments saying he had to work hard.

“He has worked hard and we are now seeing the rewards of that. KP will now be saying, ‘keep improving’. That’s what great players do.”

Sky Sports Cricket’s Kumar Sangakkara also praised Banton’s development, adding: “He was just exceptional. Anything that was pitched full, he cleared his front leg. Anything that was on the stumps, straight down the ground.

“Even with pace, he’s got that power and that timing to really make a difference. I think he was exceptional. His development, especially against spin, has been brilliant for England.”

Hussain: Dawson changed course of match

Hussain was also complimentary of Liam Dawson’s performance after the spinner took 3-32 in Sri Lanka’s innings, including a crucial two wickets in two balls when the tourists’ openers were going well – an impact that Hussain felt changed the course of the match.

“England just outplayed Sri Lanka in every department,” Hussain added. “At 55-0 after five [overs], you thought Sri Lanka are actually going to put on a showing here and maybe test England.

“But it was Liam Dawson with two in an over [that changed the course of the match] – and on a ground where sometimes bowling spin isn’t easy and sides often leave out their spinner.

“He’s a very smart cricketer. He’s a very tough cricketer and he’s been around a long time. And he’ll know what sort of lengths and lines to bowl on this particular ground. So that was brilliant from Dawson.”

‘Sri Lanka way off it’

The defeat was Sri Lanka’s 14th in succession against England in T20 internationals – a record which was indicative to Hussain of a larger malaise in comparison to past sides.

“Sri Lanka are just way off the side that I’ve seen over the years – just way off,” he said.

“It’s a massive drop off in the batting in particular. I’ve watched some of their greats and they’re just strokers of the ball. They stroke the ball for six, for four – but what I see at the moment is people trying to over hit.

“On good pitches, last game, this game, the moment there was a bit of pace, they’re losing their shape.

“In every metric today, England completely outplayed them. There were 50 dot balls. Ten sixes England scored, [and Sri Lanka scored] two sixes, even with these straight boundaries.

“A coach or a director of cricket or whoever will look at and sit back and go, that wasn’t good enough – and when you’re playing against England, those metrics have to be closer together.

“They are miles apart.”

Watch England’s third T20 vs Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 2:30pm on Saturday. Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract with NOW.

England vs Sri Lanka results and fixtures

All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports

First T20 (Utilita Bowl) – England won by 119 runs
Second T20 (Thursday September 17) – England won by six wickets
Third T20 (Saturday September 19) – Old Trafford (2.30pm)
First ODI (Tuesday September 22) – Durham (12.30pm)
Second ODI (Thursday September 24) – Headingley (12.30pm)
Third ODI (Sunday September 27) – The Kia Oval (10.30am)

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