Sports
English Batter’s Bold Chase Falls Short of Brian Lara’s Record in County Championship 2025
The County Championship 2025 kicked off with a bang, and Day Three at Taunton had cricket fans on edge as Somerset’s Tom Banton took a serious swing at Brian Lara’s legendary 501 not out. Lara’s first-class record, set in 1994 for Warwickshire against Durham, has towered over the game for 31 years—but Banton’s blistering run had folks wondering if history was about to flip. It didn’t, but what a ride.
A Record-Breaking Journey So Far
Banton, 26, walked into the spotlight against Worcestershire with Somerset reeling at 39-3 on Day 1. By stumps on Day 2, he’d smashed an unbeaten 344—56 fours, two sixes, 390 balls—teaming up with James Rew for a record-breaking 371-run stand, the biggest in Somerset’s history. X lit up with “Lara’s 501 under threat” posts, and pundits hailed Banton’s mix of grit and flair as shades of the West Indian icon. He’d already blown past his old best of 133, and the triple ton had fans dreaming big.
Brian Lara’s 501: The Gold Standard
Lara’s 501*—62 fours, 10 sixes, 427 balls—came over two days in June 1994, a masterclass of stamina and swagger that’s been untouchable. The County Championship’s churned out epic knocks before—think Sam Northeast’s 410* in 2022—but none have topped Lara. With today’s flatter decks and bolder batsmen, the stage was set. Could Banton be the one?
What Went Down on Day Three
Play kicked off April 7, 2025, under clear skies at Taunton, Somerset at 637-6, Banton on 344*. The crowd buzzed—157 runs to Lara’s mark. He notched 350 off Tom Hinley’s spin, then cracked a six—his second of the innings. But the dream ended quick. At 371, after 403 balls and nearly nine hours, Banton edged Hinley to the keeper. Somerset declared at 670-7, up 516 on Worcestershire’s 154. No record, but it’s the fifth-highest County score ever—behind only Lara, MacLaren, Northeast, and Hick.
Why This Matters for Cricket
Banton’s marathon didn’t snap Lara’s record, but it lit a fire under first-class cricket. In a T20-crazed world, this was a throwback—red-ball guts and glory. For England, it’s a feather in the cap; no homegrown batter’s topped Lara’s first-class haul, and Banton’s knock—Somerset’s highest ever—puts him in elite company. X fans called it “a purist’s dream”—proof the County game still packs a punch.
The Countdown’s Over
Day 3 was a rollercoaster—hope spiked, then crashed. Worcestershire fought back, reaching 280-5 in their second dig, still 236 behind, thanks to Adam Hose’s 82 and Brett D’Oliveira’s 71*. But Banton’s 371 stole the show. Lara’s 501 stands tall, but this English batter gave it a hell of a shake. County Championship 2025’s off to a flyer—this won’t be forgotten.