England are weighing up a possible Test debut for rookie fast bowler Sonny Baker at Lord’s.
Head coach Brendon McCullum indicated the 23-year-old is pushing for a place in Thursday’s series opener against New Zealand – England’s first Test outing since the end of their Ashes debacle almost five months ago.
Josh Tongue and the returning Ollie Robinson appear inked in for two of the seam bowling slots, leaving Baker going head to head with Gus Atkinson for the remaining place.
Atkinson’s previous good work at the home of cricket could well settle the matter in his favour – he has taken 19 wickets at just 10.94 in his two previous appearances, not to mention a century against Sri Lanka – but Baker’s higher pace has brought him firmly into the conversation.
England are already blooding one debutant in opener Emilio Gay and are mulling over Baker’s claims as they assess a mixed weather forecast that may nudge them towards a more explosive attack.
“He’s quick. I think he’s going to be a cricketer that the country really gets behind,” said McCullum.
“You can see he charges in and leaves everything out there. Some guys have a bit more of a rhythmical component to their style. I think Sonny is full noise. He loves the game immensely. I am not saying the others don’t, but he’s got a real deep passion for it and he’s exciting.
“He swings the ball both ways. He hits probably a slightly fuller length and he’s obviously got the ability to touch 90 miles an hour and he’s got a skiddy bouncer. So he’s an exciting proposition and, if it’s not in this Test, his time will come. If it is this Test, I’d expect him to do a good job.
“We’ll just work out whether we want that extra air speed, if all of a sudden it becomes 35 degrees and flattens out, or if we stick to what’s tried and tested at Lord’s and remain with the type of bowlers that will extract some movement with the overhead conditions.”
Whenever he does get the nod, Baker will be hoping it is a case of third time lucky after enduring difficult debuts in both white-ball formats. He was pummelled for 76 off seven overs in his solitary ODI, South Africa’s Aiden Markram doing the damage at Headingley, and then shipped 52 off four overs against Ireland in his only T20 at Malahide.
He is still awaiting his first international wicket but has impressed with his attitude and a lively start to the county season with Hampshire, leaving McCullum full of faith.
“He’s one of those customers that he learns from tough experiences. I think it strengthened him to be honest,” he said.
“We certainly don’t judge it from that point of view. I think it was a nice lesson for Sonny and I feel like he’s come back at a better, stronger, and a more complete cricketer.”
