Sonny Baker set for England ODI debut as uncapped Hampshire fast bowler in XI for opening game vs South Africa.
In Tuesday’s opening game of England’s ODI series against South Africa at Headingley, Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker will make his debut for his country.
Baker, 22, has only participated in 11 List A matches, but he made an impression during the Hundred by taking nine wickets in seven games for the Manchester Originals. He made an impression with the Lions throughout the winter and was given an England development contract earlier this year. He was able to push the speed gun up to 90 mph (145 kph).
Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer, who is playing his first ODI since the Champions Trophy, will join him in England’s pace attack. In his second series as manager, Harry Brook will lead the starting lineup, and Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett will remain in their opening pairing.
Following Baker’s achievements in the Hundred, Brook stated that England were “excited to see where he goes,” highlighting his duels with Originals players Kane Williamson, David Warner, Steven Smith, and Jonny Bairstow.
“He’s been awesome in the Hundred,” Brook said. “We’ve seen him bowl at some of the best batters in the world and he had them on toast, so it’s been really good to see. He bowls at high pace and he can swing it both ways with exceptional death skills as well. To have him in the team and for him to be opening up tomorrow is awesome. I think there’s quite a lot of people excited to see where he goes.
“There have been a few moments. The spells he bowled to Williamson and Warner and then Smith and Bairstow, all four are world-class batters in the shorter format and he was all over them. He bowled with high pace and high skill. He was awesome to watch this year and everyone was talking about him.”