Sonny Baker: England Test debut would be a ‘dream come true’, says talented Hampshire fast bowler | cricket news

England pace prospect Sonny Baker has said a debut Test cap this summer would be “an absolute dream come true”, but the Hampshire fast bowler insisted the focus is on performing for his county as international recognition “will take care of itself”.

The 23-year-old has been tipped as a possible pick for this summer’s first Test squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s from June 4, with the hosts in need of a new-look attack.

Chris Woakes was a mainstay of the Test side last summer but has since retired from international cricket, Mark Wood and Brydon Carrs have both been sidelined with injuries, while Jofra Archer is currently away in the IPL and may require a red-ball tune-up before being selected.

In an exclusive interview with Dr sky sports, As part of her work with children’s charities A chance to shineBaker spoke of the lessons he has learned since battling through his ODI and T20 debuts for England late last year and the prospect of making his Test bow this summer.

“To get a Test cap would be an absolute dream, obviously,” Baker said. “Test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket in general, and Ashes cricket in particular. That’s why we play the game.

“Who doesn’t pretend it’s Australia v England in the backyard with your little brother? I know I did.

“In terms of preparation? That’s for the selectors to decide. It’s nothing to do with me. All I can do is keep trying to learn.”

Becker ‘absolutely destitute’ after ODI debut

Baker announced himself most with a hugely successful hundred tournament for Manchester Originals last summer, which led to ODI and T20 debut caps for England in September.

That would prove a punishing experience, with Baker scoring 76 not out in 76 overs on his ODI debut against South Africa at Headingley – including 56 in his first four – while he found it difficult on his T20 debut against Ireland a few weeks later, scoring 52 in four more wicketless overs.

“I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t upset,” Baker admitted. “I was absolutely devastated after the game; it was a really tough day for me emotionally.

“I was so excited for the game, not sure how it was going to go, and then you get an opening bowler because your team is all out for 130, before you’re bowling to a guy up the hill who’s trying to destroy you all over. You’re a bit hidden.

“It was a tough start. That’s the reality of it.

“But I kept charging, kept going and was pretty happy with how I handled myself that day – as disappointed as I was with my stats.”

Baker has come away with experience and a strong start to 2026 with Hampshire, even if the side struggled at the foot of Division One through the first four games.

The promising young fast bowler claimed 14 wickets at an average of 26.21, including a third career five-wicket haul in the clash with his former county Somerset.

“Last year in red-ball cricket, the role I played was mainly to increase pace and be a bit of a strike bowler,” Baker said. “This year, I’ve been given a lot more opportunities to swing the ball and I’ve been able to prove that I can do it.

“I definitely felt a difference, especially in the Somerset game, although it’s easy to name that I got the five and was really motivated for that, for obvious reasons.

“I feel like I’ve kept some momentum from last year, but I’m managing myself a little bit better throughout the game so that even past the 30-over mark I can still go into that sixth, seventh gear when I want to.”

Baker: I got a strange message from Kissy

Sussex Semester Ollie Robinson is another hopeful for a Test spot this summerIt’s two years since he earned the last of his 20 caps on the 2024 tour of India, and the 32-year-old revealed this week that England head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key are in touch with him about a possible return to Tests.

“I had a text from Buzz (McCollum) at the start of the season, just to say the door was still open, which was nice,” Robinson said. ESPN Cricinfo. “Kisi called me and said: ‘Take the wicket, knock on the door and there’s still a place for you.’

Asked if he had been extended the same courtesy from McCullum and Key, Baker replied: “(Communication) is a bit ongoing and I’ve had the odd message from Keys – which is good.

“I didn’t have any regrets about ‘you have to do this to play Test cricket’, but we talked about my long-term red ball development.

“I don’t get any clear direction that you’re going to be on this side, that side, or the other side. But I wouldn’t expect it either.

“This is where you start to get ahead of yourself, thinking about things and ‘what if I need to demonstrate this’.

“People walk away, especially in interviews ‘I’ve done this, so I think I can be in the running’.

“What about bowling in the game you’re in and taking wickets in the game you’re in. Do your job and then it will take care of itself.”

Sonny Baker was speaking at the John Henry Newman Academy, where children’s charity Chance to Shine marked its 8 millionth participant since it launched in 2005. It now works in one of four state primary schools in England and Wales each year, introducing children to sport and helping them continue playing in their communities.

Watch England’s home international summer live sky sports, The three-match Test series against New Zealand will begin from June 4. Didn’t get the sky? Stream contract free cricket now.