Sonny Baker celebrated a remarkable start to his Test career, shaking off the memories of a challenging white-ball debut. The England seamer, who struggled in previous outings against South Africa and Ireland, took two wickets on his first day against New Zealand at the Oval.

Baker's impressive performance included:

• Dismissing Rachin Ravindra after inducing an indeterminate shot that led to a catch in the gully.
• Following up with a sharp short ball that caught Daryl Mitchell at midwicket.

In a post-match interview, Baker expressed his thrill, stating, "How do you think I enjoyed it? It was brilliant. Awesome." He reflected on the balance of the game, acknowledging a tough day for the team but emphasizing his excitement for his debut. "I’m buzzing."

Baker recognized his past experience in Ireland, where he felt he wasn't being himself, and made a commitment to embrace his energetic style in this match. He noted the unique atmosphere of Test cricket, contrasting it with the T20 format where music often drowns out the crowd's presence.

Before the match, Baker received his cap from former England bowler Steven Finn, marking a significant moment alongside fellow debutants Jordan Cox and James Rew. The match saw England make five changes, with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson absent due to an investigation and Ollie Robinson sidelined by injury.

Despite feelings of anxiety leading up to the game, Baker found his nerves settling as he warmed up. He described the emotional cap presentation, highlighting how proud his parents were.

At day's end, New Zealand finished at 291-7, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the match.