Hi Mate, It's Baz: Sonny Baker Recalls His First Chat With England Head Coach

Sonny Baker marked his maiden international call-up with a hat-trick for Manchester Originals against Northern Superchargers on August 19 (Sunday) at Old Trafford. Baker has just played 10 T20s and 11 50-over contests, but he made his competitive debut at 18 for Somerset.

However, he has now moved on to Hampshire, where he is getting more regular chances and has also been part of the England Lions side.

Baker, who will be part of the England squad for the ODIs against South Africa and T20Is against Ireland, recalled his first conversation with head coach Brendon McCullum, from whom he got the news of his call-up.

"I was actually at breakfast. Thankfully, I'd gotten down a bit late, so I was the only one there. I got a call from an unknown number, and thinking I was going to be told I had won an iPad or something, and I was going to lose a load of money on my account. 'Hi mate it's Baz.' I was originally a bit confused, and then I went oh.. THE BAZ. He then said I want you involved in the South Africa ODIs and Ireland T20 series," Baker told BBC Sport.

"I told him, 'I promise I'm normally more talkative than this. I'm just a bit lost for words. Baz was like 'Yeah, I've heard.' I was not sure how to take that, but it was a surreal experience, and to be honest, it hasn't really sunk in yet. Very special moment, and I called my parents straight after."

The 22-year-old also shares the dressing room with James Anderson at the Manchester Originals, with whom he has had pleasant conversations. At the same time, the youngster is keen on going against his nature and not asking too many questions to the veteran.

"Jimmy's been awesome. I've been fairly conscious. I know I ask a lot of questions, so I've been trying to ease him into that and not just spray him straight away," he said.

He has been really good with sharing information, and I have done well not to bombard him, to be fair. I think I have managed that pretty well. My temptation was to go straight in with thousands of questions. I thought I'll be a bit more measured and take things bit by bit and ask around specific things that come around in the moment. 

"He's been really good to talk to. We talked about his prep and stuff, longevity -  how he has kept going, what's worked for him."

Baker has played five matches in The Hundred this season and has picked up seven wickets at an economy rate of 8.21. He will hope to don the England jersey when they take on  South Africa in the ODI series, starting September 2 in Leeds.