A Sonny day after dark week for English cricket

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, 'I think he enjoyed that!' - Baker takes his first Test wicket By Matthew Henry BBC Sport journalist at The Oval Published 1 hour ago When Sonny Baker walked into his first media conference as a Test cricketer he was told it was customary to sing a song. For a moment it looked like he might just do it. The 23-year-old fast bowler makes an impression on everyone he meets. The most engaging of interviewees, the difficulty is stopping him talking. England coach Brendon McCullum is another to have been taken in. He thinks Baker is "going to be a cricketer the country really gets behind". Day one of the second Test against New Zealand was not the bustling Hampshire quick's first England appearance but it was undeniably his best. After recording the worst 50-over figures by an England debutant against South Africa last year and again going wicketless on his T20 bow in Ireland, Baker claimed 2-63 from 15 overs to help limit New Zealand to 291-7 on an even first day. Most importantly, with a hop and a step to begin his run, throwing his arms in the air at every turn, he was himself. England make good start despite Stokes' absence Published 2 hours ago Quiz: Name England's 20 debutants under McCullum Published 10 hours ago A Baker's couple on day one at The Oval When asked how his day was, Baker said: "Awesome, could you tell? "I'm so thankful to have a proper debut that is reflective of where I'm at. My biggest learning from the Ireland debut was I felt like I wasn't being myself." Baker's first wicket, Rachin Ravindra edging to gully, came in his seventh over. The six before had taken him to 17 wicketless overs in international cricket but were the most threatening this Test had seen to that point. His third delivery, one followed with a glinting glare, beat the edge of Henry Nicholls' bat. When the next ball was missed, Nicholls was the recipient of the Baker smile. "I'm the biggest carry-on ever," added Baker, who later added the key wicket of Daryl Mitchell. "Surely I should get stuck in, oohs and aahs if the ball beats the bat, super excited, a long follow-through every time that happens. "That's just how I am. I made a big commitment to myself coming into this, of that's how I want to be and go about things. That's me, so I might as well be authentic." To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Highlights: Second Test in the balance after England take late wickets on day one Who is England's new bowler & Hundred hat-trick hero Baker? Published 17 August 2025 'Travesty' if Stokes doesn't captain England again - Vaughan Published 5 hours ago Unlike his fellow debutant wicketkeeper James Rew, who was told he was replacing Jamie Smith in the sauna on Tuesday, Baker had a couple of days to prepare for his Test bow after Ollie Robinson's knee scan on Saturday. A keen note-maker,