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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Taha Hashim

Sonny Baker: ‘I want to be the guy where people are coming out of the bar to watch you bowl’

Sonny Baker received his cap ahead of the England Lions match against Australia A in Sydney in January
Sonny Baker received his cap ahead of the England Lions match against Australia A in Sydney in January. Photograph: Mark Evans/ECB/Getty Images

You might know cricket well and not have heard of Sonny Baker. The name’s more jazz drummer than fast bowler. He is 22 and yet to play in the County Championship. He has had just the one game in the T20 Blast, for Somerset last summer before he moved to Hampshire. He also has England’s attention.

Baker made his first-class debut on the Lions tour of Australia earlier this year, impressing enough to nab an England development contract, the same type of deal that the other young quicks Josh Hull and John Turner are on, both full internationals. The attraction is obvious, Baker possessing what England have been thirsting over: blink-and-miss pace.

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