England have named Sonny Baker in their playing XI for the first one-day international against South Africa at Headingley, Leeds, on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Hampshire quick, who regularly clocks speeds around 90mph, has been rewarded for his outstanding performances in The Hundred and his rapid rise in English cricket.
This debut marks another significant step in the career of Baker, who earlier this year represented the England Lions in a first-class match against Australia A in Sydney.
Baker’s Journey to England Debut
Baker first made headlines during his stint with the Manchester Originals in The Hundred, where he took nine wickets in seven matches. His ability to swing the new ball at high pace impressed both teammates and opponents.
According to England captain Harry Brook, Baker’s standout spells came against some of the biggest names in world cricket. “It was his spells to Kane Williamson and David Warner when playing against London Spirit, and then against Steve Smith and Jonny Bairstow in matches against Welsh Fire, that really caught the eye,” Brook told BBC Sport.
“All four are world-class batters 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.”
Baker trained with the senior England squad for the first time on Sunday and was again part of a light training session on Monday in Leeds.
England’s XI for the First ODI
The England squad has seen some reshuffling following the conclusion of The Hundred final on Sunday. Five members of the ODI squad who featured in the final travelled from London on Monday morning and were not part of training.
Despite the short turnaround, captain Harry Brook believes the team is ready. “In an ideal world we’d have liked to meet up yesterday and train yesterday, train today and go into the game as a group but nobody is short of cricket that’s for sure. Everybody’s raring to go and loving playing for England,” he said.
The England XI for the first ODI is as follows:
- Jamie Smith
- Ben Duckett
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook (capt)
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Jacob Bethell
- Will Jacks
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Sonny Baker
The inclusion of Joe Root and Will Jacks strengthens the batting lineup, while Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse return to add pace alongside Baker.
Jofra Archer Returns
While much of the spotlight will be on Baker’s debut, the return of Jofra Archer is also significant. The pacer has been battling injury setbacks and last featured in an ODI during the Champions Trophy in March. England fans will be eager to see Archer back in action, hoping he can rediscover the form that made him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.
Brydon Carse also comes back into the fold after missing the final Test against India in July, giving England a strong pace-bowling arsenal alongside Baker.
South Africa’s Line-Up
The visiting Proteas have named a competitive XI for the first ODI:
- Aiden Markram
- Ryan Rickleton (wk)
- Temba Bavuma
- Tony de Zorzi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Dewald Brevis
- Wiaan Mulder
- Corbin Bosch
- Keshav Maharaj
- Nandre Burger
- Lungi Ngidi With a mix of experienced campaigners like Temba Bavuma and rising stars such as Dewald Brevis, South Africa will pose a strong challenge to England. Their pace attack, led by Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger, combined with the spin expertise of Keshav Maharaj, ensures a well-rounded unit.
A Rapid Rise for Baker
Sonny Baker’s swift progression from county cricket to The Hundred and now into the England ODI squad underlines the faith selectors have in his talent. His rise has been described as meteoric, given he only made his England Lions debut earlier this year.
For Baker, this is the ultimate test. Facing an experienced South African batting lineup in front of a packed Headingley crowd will provide him the perfect stage to showcase his skills.
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Series Overview
This ODI at Headingley is the first in a three-match series against South Africa, which will be followed by a three-match T20 series. With the ICC Champions Trophy and the 2027 Cricket World Cup already in the sights of both nations, the series provides a crucial platform for players to cement their spots in their respective squads.
For England, the series also serves as preparation for a busy calendar that includes tours and major ICC events. For South Africa, it is an opportunity to test young talents like Brevis while building a balanced squad for the future.
England’s decision to hand Sonny Baker his ODI debut against South Africa is a bold but exciting move. The 22-year-old Hampshire pacer has the pace, swing, and temperament to make an impact at the international level. Alongside the return of Jofra Archer, Baker’s debut gives England fans plenty to look forward to at Headingley.
With South Africa fielding a strong side, the opening match of the series promises to be an entertaining contest. But all eyes will be on Baker as he looks to translate his domestic success into international stardom.
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