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A smiling Sonny Baker is talking to Michael Atherton.
“It has been obviously a very surreal experience over the last six weeks, but I can’t wait to get stuck in.[ When Baz called] I thought it was a fake call, asking me to fill in my credit card details, when it was him, I nearly fell off my chair. I said I’m normally more talkative that this, and he said, ‘I’ve heard’.”
[On bowling fast]. “That’s the most fun thing about the sport for me, there’s a reason Jofra has such a following. I attribute quite a lot of my ball speed to the fact that I really want to to it. Getting injured, going for runs, that’s fine as long as you understand that it is part of doing the fun stuff.”
What a charming, chilled young man. He hasn’t played a list A game since 2022 though, so not the easiest debut…
South Africa XI
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
A new opening pair for South Africa with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton.
More on Sonny Baker from his captain. “I’m really excited for Sonny, he had an amazing hundred, looking forward to him showcasing his skills today and great to have Jof back.”
South Africa win the toss and will bowl
Temba Bauma calls correctly and chooses to have a bowl on the dry Headingley pitch. Harry Brook would have had a bowl too, “I know this ground pretty well and I know it is hard to defend.”
England XI
England XI: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker.
Jamie Overton turns his back on red-ball cricket
But as one door opens, another closes, with Surrey’s Jamie Overton announcing an “indefinite break” from red-ball cricket. Overton, just 31, and another of England’s big fast bowler dream team, was part of the squad for all five Tests against India, and played at The Oval, but has struggled with injury.
“It is no longer possible to commit fully to all formats at every level, both physically and mentally,” he said.
“Red-ball, first‑class cricket has provided the foundation for my professional career and has been the gateway to every opportunity I’ve had in the game so far.
“Going forward, my focus will be on white-ball cricket, and I will continue to give everything to play at the highest level for as long as I can.”
A debut for Sonny Baker
We know how much the England selectors like a big strong fast bowler with the Ashes on the horizon, and there is much excitement about Hampshire’s Sonny Baker, who will make his senior England debut today. He’s impressed in the Hundred and a good first Championship season. This could be his NatWest final moment.
Simon has more here:
Preamble
Good morning from an autumnal England, the conkers dropping like heavy hints, the sun still a warm back rub. After a month of Hundred action, we’re back to the international game – with South Africa the September visitors.
They were here in high summer, beating Australia in the memorable World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Their return, for the white ball stuff, should be a stern test of Brook’s captaincy – they’ve won five of their last six against England.
Today’s ODI, the first of three ODIs and three T20s, tees off at Headingley at 1pm BST, do join us to chew over the Ashes squad and more.
