England vs South Africa: Sonny Baker suffers powerful debut however appears to have character wanted for worldwide cricket

Your England debut is one thing you’ll bear in mind eternally – however for Sonny Baker it’s one thing he’ll in all probability want to overlook.

The quick bowler and Ashes prospect was handed his likelihood towards South Africa within the first ODI at Headingley on Tuesday and proceeded to undergo a golden duck earlier than being flogged for 76 runs from a wicketless seven overs because the vacationers coasted to victory.

Baker shipped 56 from his first 4 overs as Proteas opener Aiden Markam gave him a stark realisation of how brutal the worldwide recreation might be if you’re even marginally off.

Right here is how the 22-year-old’s eye-watering first spell panned out…

Baker’s first England spell – 4 overs of carnage

Over 1 (14 runs conceded)

Over 0.1 – Stable line and size to start out as Markram defends. Dot.
Over 0.2 – Strays leg-side and is clipped away for 4.
Over 0.3 – Markram drills to mid-on for a couple of runs.
Over 0.4 – Quick and vast and Markram lotions 4 over the off-side.
Over 0.5 – 4 extra as Markram smashes a full ball by means of the covers.
Over 0.6 – A uncommon quiet supply as Baker hits Markram on the pads. Dot.

Over 2 (20 runs conceded)

Over 2.1 – A vast down the leg-side. Reload and go once more, Sonny.
Over 2.1 – One other vast down the leg-side. Third time fortunate maybe?
Over 2.1 – Exterior off stump from Baker, 4 for Markram by means of long-off.
Over 2.2 – Markram defends a size ball again to Baker. Dot.
Over 2.3 – SIX over deep backward level.
Over 2.4 – Not middled by Markram however he takes two, hitting over mid-on.
Over 2.5 – SIX over deep backward sq. leg.
Over 2.6 – Good response from Baker, placing Markram on the physique. Dot.

Over 3 (10 runs conceded)

Over 4.1 – Ryan Rickelton joins the Baker-bashing get together, sq. driving for 4.
Over 4.2 – Higher from Baker, inducing a vanguard into the off-side. Dot.
Over 4.3 – A second scoreless supply in a row as Rickelton edges in need of slip.
Over 4.4 – Baker errs once more, going full and on the pads as Rickelton clips for 4.
Over 4.5 – Rickelton drives a pitched-up supply to mid-on for a single.
Over 4.6 – Markram drills a single into the covers.

Over 4 (12 runs conceded)

Over 6.1 – Dot. Markram skews to mid-on after a tinny connection off the bat
Over 6.2 – Overpitched from Baker, arrowed to the duvet fence for 4 by Markram
Over 6.3 – Dot as Markram defends
Over 6.4 – Dot once more as Markram defends once more
Over 6.5 – Markram has had sufficient of this defending nonsense. A straight 4.
Over 6.6 – 4 by means of the covers as Markram clinches 23-ball fifty

‘The best way Baker gave 100 per cent was superior’

At that time Baker was withdrawn from the assault however he would return to bowl the twelfth over, one which started with 5 dot deliveries to Markram earlier than a large and a single.

He additionally bowled the 14th and sixteenth overs and though he was clubbed for 3 extra boundaries throughout these, one of many fours got here by way of a free high edge from Rickelton.

You can solely commend Baker for the best way he fought again from his chastening first style of this stage, along with his captain Harry Brook and the person chargeable for his costly figures, Markram, each giving the Hampshire seamer their seal of approval.

Brook mentioned: “Baker got a bit of tap at the start but the way he kept trucking in and giving 100 per cent was awesome to see. That’s what we ask for from our bowlers.”

Markram added: “There has been some really good talk about him and his ability. If he has got it on a string, he will be really good bowler for sure.”

‘Bowling quick is essentially the most enjoyable factor in regards to the sport’

The expertise Baker has – the flexibility to maneuver the ball at excessive tempo – ought to assist him rebound from this powerful begin however extra so his character, which was in proof throughout a profitable Hundred stint with Manchester Originals final month.

Joe Root, David Warner, Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow and Steve Smith had been among the recreation’s main lights to be put beneath the pump by Baker throughout that competitors.

He had them “on toast” to make use of Brook’s phrases.

And you may inform from Baker’s interview with Michael Atherton on the morning of his England debut that he might need the persona required for the large leagues.

In a bubbly, down-to-earth chat, he revealed he thought the decision saying his choice for this collection was pretend and spoke about how having Warner et al hopping round in The Hundred had given him confidence as he steps up once more.

He additionally chatted about choosing the brains of England’s all-time main Take a look at wicket-taker James Anderson throughout Originals obligation and insisted he wasn’t getting caught up in Ashes fever simply but: “Selection is nothing to do with me, I just try and do what I do.”

However what actually shone by means of was Baker’s love of the battle – and bowling rapidly.

“Bowling fast is the most fun thing about the sport. It’s exciting. There’s a reason Jofra Archer has such a following, Mark Wood similar.

“That is how I need to be, how I need to bowl. I attribute lots of my pace to the actual fact I actually need to do it.

“As a fast bowler you are going to go for runs and get injured but that’s okay as long as you are at peace with that.

“That comes with the enjoyable a part of making individuals duck and knocking poles out of the bottom.”

‘Baker will probably be higher for chastening debut’

The beaming smile on Baker’s face disappeared considerably as he was being carted round by Markram.

England maybe didn’t assist by giving him the primary over with the Proteas chasing solely a measly 132 after a dismal batting collapse for the hosts of 8-49 from 82-2.

However the positives had been Baker’s angle and the truth that he now is aware of what the worldwide enviornment is all about.

Ex-South Africa seamer Shaun Pollock added of Baker: “He has the raw ingredients. He gets the ball to move and that is probably the most difficult thing to teach a person who bowls at such high speed.

“It is a studying expertise and he will certainly be higher for it. You may inform him in regards to the distinction in depth and high quality till you might be pink within the face however he’ll solely perceive it now.

“He will realise he has to be more consistent, not offer up balls easy to put away. He has energy and enthusiasm but that only takes you so far. You need skill and control.”

Watch England’s second ODI towards South Africa, at Lord’s, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket and Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion from 12.30pm on Thursday (1pm first ball) or stream contract-free with NOW.