England’s whiteball captain Harry Brook paid tribute to Sonny Baker’s ability to put top players under pressure as the fast bowler seems to make his international debut in the Odi series against South Africa.
Hampshire Quick Baker has received a call-up for the three 50-over games at home for Proteas on September 2, 4 and 7, marking this choice with a hat trick for Manchester Originals against Brooks Superchargers in a hundred.
The 22-year-old dismissed Dawid Malan with a cunning slower ball before sacking two more wickets at death, while also wearing a duck on Jonny Bairstow, dismissed Joe Root and challenged Australia Greats David Warner and Steve Smith so far this season.
Brook – If SuperCharger’s side returns to action against London Spirit Wednesday night, Live on Sky Sports Cricket from 6.30 pm – said about Baker to Sky Sports: “There is obviously a reason why we have chosen him.
“He is bowling at a high pace, has gained skill and has really impressed against some of the international players – Kane Williamson, Warner, Smith, Bairstow.
“He has put them under pressure in the powerplay, and that’s something we look forward to seeing in the future. He has the ability to get wickets and take hat tricks.”
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Baker dismissed Jonny Bairstow for a duck when Originals played Welsh fire
‘Ahmed has risen to the occasion’
Ben-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed is in both the Odi and T20 troops to meet South Africa after a fine domestic season that has included five centuries battling in the top three for the Leicestershire in the county championship.
Ahmed then took two wickets and beat 45 races of 35 balls on Tuesday when Trent Rockets beat originals in a hundred.
Brook said of the 21-year-old: “He is a fantastic talent and has gone up to a level this year of bats. I’m glad he also beats the top three for rockets.
“He has been given good opportunities and rose to the occasion while he is good with the ball and good in the field, which is what we look for. He has all three attributes to be a very good player.”
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Rehan Ahmed took this great catch for Trent Rockets against London Spirit in a hundred
Brook will be rested to the three-match T20i International Series in Ireland later in September, with Jacob Bethell, 21, to step in and become England’s youngest captain of the International Cricket.
“Beth has a great potential to be a captain in the future,” Brook said.
“He thinks very well about the game and always tries to move it forward that I am. We think similar.
“I think he wants to be an aggressive captain. He’s always looking to put opposition matches and bowlers under pressure. That’s what we’ve asked for and he does so in abundance.”
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Jacob Bethell says he will lead an example when he Captain England in Ireland in September
England’s troops to the rest of whiteball summer
The ODD series against South Africa: Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith.
The T20 series against South Africa: Harry Brook (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood.
T20 series vs Ireland: Jacob Bethell (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood.
South Africa is another tough resistance. They will bring different tactical gaming awareness, different areas they score in. We will be put in different situations, all of which is good for the world competitions that we have gained in the years to come.
Watch The Hundred Live on Sky Sports up to and including the final Sunday 31 August. Then catch England’s ODDs and T20s against South Africa, starting with the opening 50-over match at Headingley on Tuesday, September 2nd (13:00 FIRST BALL).
Brook spoke to Sky Sports from East Molesey at a Hitz cricket site. Hitz gives players of all abilities an inclusive and accessible environment to burn their passion for cricket. More here.