Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, expressed confidence that the crowd at The Oval would quickly take to Sonny Baker, and he was right. The 23-year-old debutant made a memorable entrance into Test cricket during the first day of the second Test against New Zealand, showcasing his talent in just his 14th first-class game.

New Zealand ended the day at 291 for seven, with Baker being the standout bowler, claiming two crucial wickets. He dismissed Rachin Ravindra for 33 and Daryl Mitchell for 44, finishing the day with impressive figures of two for 63. His efforts drew loud cheers from the crowd as he celebrated both dismissals.

Reflecting on his debut, Baker shared, “How do you think I enjoyed it? It was brilliant. Awesome.” He admitted to feeling nervous before the match, stating he couldn’t eat the night prior and felt anxiety build up on the bus ride to the stadium. The emotional cap presentation was particularly poignant for him, revealing, “I was trying not to get emotional from the rest of the lads, but I was struggling a little bit to be honest.”

Having previously played two limited-overs matches for England without taking a wicket, Baker recognized the need to stay true to himself. He noted, “I think probably my biggest lesson was that I need to be myself.” He emphasized the importance of the relaxed team environment in managing nerves and maintaining a positive outlook: “Let’s get excited, let’s go for it.” Baker’s debut not only thrilled fans but also set a promising tone for his future in Test cricket.