Sonny Baker’s international debut was a forgettable one. England’s humiliating defeat to South Africa in the first ODI of the series at Headingley yesterday is a record he himself has written, which he would like to hide his face in shame if he sees it.
Baker shook up the series against South Africa immediately after being called up. He took a hat-trick in England’s 100-ball tournament ‘The Hundred’ on August 17. But 15 days later, when he played international cricket, he realized that there is a huge difference between playing in the England jersey and playing ‘The Hundred’. In the first ODI against the Proteas at Headingley yesterday, he took 76 runs in 7 overs but did not take any wickets. This is the record for the most expensive bowling on an ODI debut for England. This bad record was previously held by Liam Dawson. He took 2 wickets for 70 runs in 8 overs against Pakistan in Cardiff in 2016.
Baker was the most battered by South African opener Aiden Markram at Headingley yesterday. Markram took 57 runs after beating Baker. The Proteas opener hit 9 fours and 2 sixes. When Baker finished bowling for 76 runs in 7 overs, the Proteas’ score was 103 runs without losing a wicket in 16 overs. They then needed 29 balls to chase down the target of 132 runs. The Proteas scored 136 runs for 3 wickets in 20.5 overs. Markram top-scored with 86 runs. He hit 13 fours and 2 sixes in his 55-ball innings.
Keshav Maharaj was named man of the match as South Africa won by 7 wickets with 175 balls in hand. He took 4 wickets for 22 runs in 5.3 overs. Earlier, England, batting first after losing the toss, were bundled out for 131 runs in 24.3 overs. Jamie Smith top-scored for the hosts’ innings with 54 runs.
Baker took 9 wickets in 7 matches for Manchester Originals in the recently concluded ‘The Hundred Days’. He took a hat-trick against Northern Superchargers. But he has made a bad record since his debut in international cricket. England and South Africa will face each other in the second ODI at Lord’s tomorrow. The final and third ODI of the series will be held in Southampton on September 7.
