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.
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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 debutBaker 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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2026-05-06 07:00:00
