Sonny Baker’s career has accelerated rapidly this summer, but his focus for England’s upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan is firmly set on reverse-swing.
Baker was tipped to open the bowling in Sunday’s ODI decider against Sri Lanka and will seek further opportunities in Pakistan, with Jofra Archer rested following a demanding summer. He aims to sharpen his death-over abilities and master reverse-swing, particularly after guidance from his Hampshire colleague Kyle Abbott.
“One of my biggest things that I’m trying to do for the rest of my career is break it down into segments: ‘Right, during this period of time, what am I focusing on? What am I trying to get out of it?'” Baker said, speaking after he was named men’s young player of the year at the Toyota PCA Awards on Wednesday night.
“For example, Pakistan would be about learning reverse-swing and trying to bang my yorkers, and learning about executing skills in those conditions and reading the conditions there, because it’s not somewhere I’ve been before. I’m sure that’ll be a very transferable skill to playing in other areas of Asia.”
Reverse-swing is more common in Asia due to hot climates and abrasive pitches. The skill has re-emerged in the one-day game following ICC regulation changes that mandate a single ball for the final 16 overs of a 50-over innings.
“I’m really, really looking forward to that – particularly reverse-swing, which I think caters to my action quite nicely,” Baker added. “Having spoken to Kyle Abbott a little bit about doing that in the red-ball stuff, it would be really useful going out there and having some proper experience of doing it, rather than just the theory.”
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Baker was selected in the 16-man squad announced Thursday, with Archer rested. Leg-spinner Mason Crane has been recalled after more than eight years, since the fifth Ashes Test of 2017-18, overtaking Rehan Ahmed. He backs up Adil Rashid, who is returning from a hand injury.
Selector Marcus North stated Crane “thoroughly deserves another opportunity at international level” following his performances for Glamorgan. Rehan Ahmed was omitted after two costly displays against Sri Lanka, claiming three expensive wickets and scoring 2 and 0.
Sam Curran is included after recovering from a groin injury that kept him out of the Sri Lanka series wins. Jacob Bethell (knee) and Jos Buttler (hamstring) are excluded as anticipated. James Coles has been promoted to the ODI squad after previously being named for the T20Is, while his former Sussex teammate Henry Crocombe retains his place despite moving to Surrey.
The series will feature four or five ODIs depending on final qualification, followed by a tour to Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is in late November. The rest of the winter is dedicated to Test cricket, with matches in South Africa (three), Bangladesh (two), and Australia (one), alongside three ODIs in South Africa in mid-January.
Baker will work under new bowling coach David Saker, who replaces Tim Southee for the tri-series. Mike Yardy and Carl Hopkinson have joined Brendon McCullum’s staff alongside Jeetan Patel, while Marcus Trescothick, Kevin Pietersen, and Sarah Taylor are absent from the tour.
He expects to collaborate closely with Troy Cooley, the ECB’s pace-bowling lead, throughout the winter and feels “very much at home” in the dressing-room after playing across formats this summer. This included a Test debut at The Oval under chaotic circumstances, which he named his favourite day of the season.
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“You can’t really top your Test debut, can you? Come on!” Baker said. “Mind you, the whole morning I was sick with anxiety. I was honestly so nervous. That’s probably the most nervous I’ve ever been by some distance. I normally am alright eating and stuff before games, but I was properly bushed, but it was really good.”
Baker is considering entering December’s IPL auction after winning the Hundred with Manchester Super Giants. His decision will hinge on ECB communication regarding “the best thing for my development,” once he knows his standing in England’s pecking order across formats.
“If the best thing is going to the IPL and learning cool stuff out there, then I’ll enter; if it’s staying in England for red-ball because you think you’re in with a shout for Ashes stuff, then I’ll absolutely go and do that. It all really depends on what the context is at the time… England will always be number one for me, so I’ll go from there.”
England tri-series in Pakistan:
Squad: Harry Brook (capt), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, James Coles, Jordan Cox (wk), Mason Crane, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Josh Tongue.
Fixtures: October 18 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, October 20 – Pakistan vs England, October 22 – Sri Lanka vs England (all Rawalpindi), October 25 – Pakistan vs England, October 27 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, October 29 – Sri Lanka vs England (all Lahore), October 31 – Final (Lahore).