Sonny's time to shine

ENGLAND will unleash their latest 90mph speedster Sonny Baker on South Africa at Headingley today.

- By Neil Squires

The 22-year-old, who took a hat-trick for Manchester Originals against the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred last month, is to make his senior international debut in the first encounter of the three-match one-day series.

White-ball skipper Harry Brook describes Baker as an “out there” character.

The young quick drinks bone broth daily to guard against injury, and always carries a notebook in order to jot down observations on everything from opponents to ground dimensions.

But it is his pace rather than his peculiarities which has turned England heads.

“He’s been awesome in The Hundred,” said Brook, above.

“You've seen him bowl at some of the best batters in the world and he’s had them on toast. It has been really good to see.