England pace prospect Sonny Baker says a debut Test cap this summer would be “an absolute dream come true”, but the Hampshire fast bowler insists his focus is on performing for his county as international recognition “will take care of itself”.
The 23-year-old has been touted as a potenital pick for England’s first Test squad of the summer to face New Zealand at Lord’s from June 4, given the hosts’ need for a new-look attack.
Chris Woakes was a mainstay of the Test team last summer but has since retired from international cricket, Mark Wood and Brydon Carse are both ruled out to injury, while Jofra Archer is currently away at the IPL and could require a red-ball tune-up before being selected.
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Ben Stokes has reaffirmed that he and Brendon McCullum are aligned with their vision for England’s Test team and hopes they’ll still be working together at the end of 2027.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, as part of his work with children’s charity Chance to Shine, Baker spoke of the lessons he’s learned since struggling on his ODI and T20l debuts for England at the back-end of last year and on the possibility of making his Test bow this summer.
Sonny Baker was speaking at John Henry Newman Academy, at an event run by children’s charity Chance to Shine
“Getting a Test cap would be an absolute dream come true, obviously,” Baker said. “Test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket in general, and especially Ashes cricket. That’s why we play the game.
“Who doesn’t pretend to be Australia versus England in the backyard with your little brother? I know I did.
“In terms of readiness? That’s for the selectors to decide. It’s nothing to do with me. The only thing I can do is keep trying to learn.”
Baker ‘absolutely gutted’ after chastening ODI debut
Baker announced himself to most with a hugely successful Hundred tournament for Manchester Originals last summer, which prompted ODI and T20I debut caps for England in September.
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Watch Sonny Baker’s hat-trick for Manchester Originals in The Hundred last summer.
Those would prove chastening experiences, with Baker flogged for 76 runs from a wicketless seven overs on his ODI debut against South Africa at Headingley – 56 of those coming off his first four – while he also found the going tough on his T20I debut against Ireland a couple of weeks later, conceding 52 from four more wicketless overs.
“I’m not going to pretend that I wasn’t upset,” Baker admitted. “I was absolutely gutted after the game; it was a really tough day for me emotionally.
“I was so excited for the game, wasn’t sure how it was going to go, and then you get a first-baller as your team is bowled out for 130, before you’re bowling up the hill to a guy who is looking to smash you about everywhere. You’re somewhat on a hiding to nothing.
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Look at Sonny Baker’s chastening ODI debut as the young England fast bowler conceded 76 runs across a wicketless seven overs.
“It was a tough start. That is the reality of it.
“But I kept charging in, kept going and was pretty happy with how I handled myself on the day – as much as I was gutted with my figures.”
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England captain Harry Brook and South Africa batter Aiden Markram reflect on Sonny Baker’s tough ODI debut in Leeds.
Baker has far from wilted from the experience and has had a strong start to 2026 with Hampshire, even if the team have struggled at the foot of Division One through the first four games.
The promising young fast bowler has claimed 14 wickets at an average of 26.21, which included a third career five-for in the clash with his former county Somerset.
“In red-ball cricket last year, the role I predominantly played to crank up the pace and be a bit of a strike bowler,” Baker said. “This year, I’ve been given the opportunity to swing the ball a lot more and I’ve been able to demonstrate that I can do that.
“I’ve definitely felt a difference, particularly in the Somerset game, albeit it’s easy to name that as I got five-for and was really motivated for it, for obvious reasons.
Sonny Baker took a third career five-for in Hampshire’s County Championship defeat to Somerset earlier in the season
“I feel like I’ve put on a bit of pace since last year, but I’m also managing myself a bit better throughout games so that even past the 30-over mark I can still go to that sixth, seventh gear when I want to.”
Baker: I get the odd message from Keysey
Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson is another vying for a Test spot this summer, two years on from earning the last of his 20 caps on the 2024 tour of India, and the 32-year-old revealed this week that England head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key have been in contact with him regarding a potential return to the Test fold.
“I had a text from Baz [McCullum] at the start of the season, just to say that the door was still open, which was nice,” Robinson told ESPN Cricinfo. “Keysy rang me as well to say: ‘Take wickets, knock the door down and there’s still a spot for you.’
Sussex captain and seam bowler Ollie Robinson is hopeful that an England Test recall may be on the cards
Asked whether he had been extended the same courtesy from McCullum and Key, Baker responded: “[Communication] is somewhat ongoing and I get the odd message from Keysey – which is good.
“I haven’t had any nailed on ‘this is what you need to do to play Test cricket’, but we’ve spoken about my long-term red-ball development.
“I’ve not had any clear direction of you’ll be in this, that or the other. But I wouldn’t expect it either.
Sonny Baker has played for England Lions but the fast bowler is yet to make his Test bow
“That’s where you start getting ahead of yourself, thinking about things and ‘what if I need to demonstrate this’.
“People get carried away, especially talking in interviews about ‘I’ve done this, so I think I might be in the running’.
“How about just bowl in the game you’re in, and take wickets in the game you’re in. Do your job and then that will take care of itself.”
Sonny Baker was speaking at a Chance to Shine event where the children’s charity marked its eight millionth participant since 2005
Sonny Baker was speaking at John Henry Newman Academy, where children’s charity Chance to Shine marked its eight millionth participant since launching in 2005. It now works in around one in four state primary schools across England and Wales each year, introducing children to the game and helping them continue playing in the community.
Watch England’s home international summer live on Sky Sports, starting with a three-Test series against New Zealand from June 4. Not got Sky? Stream cricket contract-free on NOW.
