Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker has been hailed as having a “big ceiling” as he further strengthened his case for England with five fours in Hampshire’s latest County Championship match against Somerset.
Baker finished with figures of 5-62 from his 17 two overs, but it wasn’t enough to see his team win as Tom Abell (101st)’s superb unbeaten century on Monday handed first-team Somerset a tense two-wicket win.
Hampshire captain Ben Brown was full of praise for the young seamer, who bowled Lewis Gregory and dismissed Alfie Ogborne to increase the pressure on Somerset. They still needed 15 points after eight wickets had fallen.
“I’m really happy with how this guy did. Sonny was really great the whole game and really has been all season,” Brown said. “I think he has a lot of limitations as a bowler.
“He’s throwing an absolute rocket right now. Almost every spell hits the 90 mph mark and he’s making things happen.
“The ball to Gregory was set back a mile. Great bowling, really. And, especially for tailgaters, this is a nightmare to face.”
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England’s Sonny Baker spoke to Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton about his bowling speed and what he learned from James Anderson ahead of his ODI debut last year.
Baker’s third five-for of his career took his tally to 13 wickets after the first three matches of the County Championship, averaging 21.84. His form could lead to him being called up for his first England Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
However, Baker struggled in his first foray into international cricket last summer, hitting 76 runs from a wicketless seven overs on his one-day international debut against South Africa at Headingley.
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England captain Harry Brook and South Africa batsman Aiden Markram reflect on Sonny Baker’s tough ODI debut at Leeds.
Baker made 56 from his first four overs at Headingley, driven home by Proteas opener Aiden Markham, just how brutal international competition can be with just the slightest deviation.
He also had a tough time in his T20I debut against Ireland a few weeks later, conceding 52 from four overs and failing to pick up another wicket.
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Take a look at Sonny Baker’s punishing ODI debut as the young fast bowler conceded 76 runs in 7 wicketless overs against South Africa.
Baker came to England’s attention during Manchester Originals’ hugely successful 2025 Hundred tournament, with the fast bowler taking nine wickets in seven matches.
Joe Root, David Warner, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith were some of the main players in the game who were put under the pump by the quicks during the competition.
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Watch Sonny Baker score a hat-trick for Manchester Originals in The Hundred last summer.
Baker was handed a one-year central contract by England in November, suggesting he remains on the radar of selectors ahead of 2026.
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