“Bowling at high pace” - Harry Brook backs Sonny Baker

Overview

• Sonny Baker has been named in the England squad for the South Africa ODI series.
  
• He is currently featuring in The Hundred Men’s tournament.
• Brook sounded excited about his inclusion. 

Hampshire’s Sonny Baker has been named in the England squad for the upcoming three-match home ODI series against South Africa. Baker is currently featuring in The Hundred Men’s tournament for Manchester Originals, where he recently made headlines by taking a hat-trick against Northern Superchargers.

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Interestingly, Superchargers is the team of England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook in The Hundred. While speaking to Sky Sports, Brook expressed his excitement about the 22-year-old pacer’s inclusion.

"There is obviously a reason why we have picked him. He is bowling at high pace, has got 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 is something we are looking forward to watching in the future. He has the ability to get wickets and take hat-tricks," he said.

Alongside Baker, young leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed has also been named in both the ODI and T20I squads to face South Africa.

Brook will skip the three-match T20I series against Ireland

"He is a fantastic talent and has gone up a level this year with the bat. I am glad he is batting in the top three for Rockets as well,” Brook said about Ahmed.

"He has been given good opportunities and risen to the occasion, while he is skilled 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," he further added.

However, after the South Africa series, Brook will skip the three-match T20I series against Ireland. In his absence, Jacob Bethell will take charge, becoming the youngest player to captain England in international cricket. Brook backed the youngster to thrive in the leadership role.

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"Beth has great potential to be a captain in future. He thinks very well about the game and is always trying to move it forward, like I am. We think similar. I think he will be an aggressive captain. He is always looking to put opposition batters and bowlers under pressure. That is what we have asked for and he does that in abundance," Brook concluded.