• Source:JND

England vs South Africa 1st ODI: Sonny Baker, the Hampshire fast bowler, is all set to make his international debut for England as he was included in the playing XI for the first ODI match against South Africa, which is scheduled to be played in Headingley on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Baker has featured in just 11 List A matches but impressed everyone with his promising show during the Hundred, having taken nine wickets in seven appearances for Manchester Originals.

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Baker will join an English bowling attack that also features Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Adil Rashid as England enters their second ODI series under Harry Brook's captaincy. This will be Archer's first ODI appearance since the Champions Trophy. On the other hand, Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett will continue to bed in their opening partnership.

Brook said that England were "excited to see where he goes" after Baker's performances in the Hundred.

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"He's been awesome in the Hundred," Brook said. "We've seen him bowl at some of the best batters in the world, and he had them on toast, so it's been really good to see. He bowls at a high pace, and he can swing it both ways with exceptional death skills as well. To have him in the team and for him to be opening up tomorrow is awesome. I think there are quite a lot of people excited to see where he goes.

"There have been a few moments. The spells he bowled to Williamson and Warner and then Smith and Bairstow, all four are world-class batters in the shorter format, and he was all over them. He bowled with high pace and high skill. He was awesome to watch this year, and everyone was talking about him."

England XI for 1st ODI: 1. Jamie Smith, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Joe Root, 4. Harry Brook (capt), 5. Jos Buttler (wk), 6. Jacob Bethell, 7. Will Jacks, 8. Brydon Carse, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Sonny Baker