Tom Banton Mounts 371! Falls Short Of Brian Lara’s World Record In County 2025

Tom Banton in action for Somerset [Source: @SomersetCCC/x]

England cricketer Tom Banton started off his 2025 County Championship campaign with a scintillating 371-run knock against Worcestershire at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. Facing 403 deliveries in his near nine-hour stay at the crease, Banton belted 56 boundaries and two huge sixes in the process.

Notably, the 26-year-old English batter even threatened to break Brian Lara’s all-time first-class record of 501* runs after racing to 344* by stumps on Day 2 of the four-day affair. Banton was eventually dismissed by Worcestershire spinner Tom Hinley on the third morning before captain Lewis Gregory called for his team’s first innings declaration at 670-7.

Tom Banton falls short of Brian Lara’s world record

Batting at number five for Somerset in Taunton, Tom Banton arrived to the crease after the fall of Sean Dickson at a precarious 39-3 within the opening hour of the innings. Up against Worcestershire’s 154, Banton lifted Somerset’s response with a 101-run partnership with Tom Abell, before sharing 371 runs with wicketkeeper-batter and centurion James Rew.

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By the time of stumps on Day 2, Banton raced to 344* and look all settled to break Brian Lara’s record of all-time highest individual score in first-class cricket (501*). However, the cricketer was dismissed by Worcestershire spinner Tom Hinley after adding just 27 more runs to his tally on Day 3 to reach 371 from 403 balls with 56 fours and two sixes.

As one can expect, he received a standing ovation from the Taunton crowd as he was making his way back to the pavilion.

In terms of highest individual scores in County Cricket, Banton’s 371 currently stands fifth on the overall list, and the second highest in County history in the 21st century. Here is a look at five of the highest individual scores shaped in the history of County cricket.

The innings marked Tom Banton’s fourth first-class hundred, and pushed his bid in securing a place in England’s Test line-up.

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