Baker's Impressive Performance Bolsters England Claim

Hampshire's fast bowler, Sonny Baker, has been praised for his exceptional talent, with a 'huge ceiling' as he pushes for a spot in the England team. The 23-year-old took five wickets in Hampshire's recent County Championship match against Somerset, finishing with 5-62 from 17 overs. Although his efforts were not enough to secure a win for his team, Baker's performance has garnered attention, with his captain, Ben Brown, expressing admiration for his skills. Brown noted that Baker has been 'absolutely brilliant all game, and all season,' and that he 'bowls absolute rockets' that often reach the 90 mph mark. Baker's impressive form could lead to his first England Test call-up against New Zealand on June 4. With 13 wickets in the first three County Championship games at an average of 21.84, Baker is making a strong case for himself. However, he previously struggled in his international debut against South Africa, conceding 76 runs from seven wicketless overs. Despite this, Baker's successful 2025 Hundred tournament, where he took nine wickets in seven matches, has kept him on England's radar, and he was awarded a one-year central contract in November.