The three match ODI series between India and England is locked at 1-1 after the opening two games, setting up a straight shootout at Lord's on July 19 for the decider. Just days before that finale, England's team management has reshuffled its squad, releasing two players so they can turn out for their county sides instead.
Dawson and Banton let go
England has released Liam Dawson and Tom Banton from its ODI squad, freeing them to play for their respective counties in the T20 Blast finals day on July 18. Notably, the team management has not drafted in any replacement for either player, meaning the remaining group is expected to carry the squad into the series decider.
Dawson's lone outing, Banton's long wait
Dawson got his only opportunity of the series in the first ODI, where he played a crucial 68 run innings and struck a 121 run stand with Joe Root at a key stage of the innings. Despite that effort, England ended up losing the match, and Dawson then found himself out of the playing eleven for the second ODI. Banton, a top order batter, fared even worse on the selection front, not getting a game in either of the opening two fixtures. With neither player looking likely to break into the XI at Lord's, England decided to release them for county duty instead.
Where the pair will play on July 18
The T20 Blast finals day on July 18 features two semifinals, the first between Northamptonshire and the Steelbacks, and the second between Hampshire Hawks and Notts Outlaws. The final itself will be played later that evening at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Dawson and Banton will represent their counties in these matches even as the rest of the England squad turns its focus to the series decider a day later.
India also set for a change at Lord's
England is not the only side heading into a change of personnel for the Lord's ODI. Washington Sundar, who was injured while batting in the second match, is unavailable for selection in the series finale, making a change in India's playing eleven virtually certain. Attention now turns to who replaces him, with Kuldeep Yadav seen as the frontrunner after warming the bench through the first two ODIs of the series.
