London: England could hand Sonny Baker his Test debut at Lord’s this week, with the Hampshire fast bowler in serious contention for a place in the XI against New Zealand.
The 23-year-old is part of England’s squad for the first Rothesay Test, starting Thursday, June 4, 2026, and the final decision on his inclusion is expected to come close to the toss. England are weighing up conditions at Lord’s, where cloud cover and rain in the early part of the match could push the selectors toward an extra seam option.
Baker is one of three uncapped players named in the squad, along with Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew. The ECB confirmed the 15-man group in May, with Ollie Robinson, Matthew Fisher and Rehan Ahmed also returning to the Test setup.
For Baker, the chance comes after a sharp rise through county cricket and England’s wider fast-bowling pathway. He has already had a taste of international cricket in white-ball formats, though not always an easy one. His ODI debut against South Africa last year was a tough introduction, but England’s management have continued to back his pace and attitude. That says something. Not every young quick gets a second look so soon after a rough first outing.
England head coach Brendon McCullum is understood to admire Baker’s pace, resilience and willingness to learn. According to reports, the final pace-bowling spot could come down to Baker or Gus Atkinson, with Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson and captain Ben Stokes also part of the seam-bowling picture.
Baker himself has not hidden what a Test call would mean. Speaking before the squad announcement, he said a Test debut would be “an absolute dream come true,” while adding that his main job was to keep taking wickets for Hampshire and let selection “take care of itself.”
England’s squad marks a noticeable reset after a difficult winter, including a heavy Ashes defeat in Australia. Zak Crawley has been left out, with Gay expected to open alongside Ben Duckett, while Jacob Bethell is set to retain the No. 3 role after recovering from injury. Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith and Stokes give the middle order a more familiar shape.
There is also a spin decision to be made, although Shoaib Bashir appears the likelier specialist spinner ahead of Rehan Ahmed. Bethell’s left-arm spin gives England another option, which may allow them to be slightly bolder with the pace attack if Lord’s looks lively.
New Zealand arrive with confidence after beating Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in Belfast, a match in which Tom Blundell scored 186 and Nathan Smith took six wickets in the first innings. Captain Tom Latham said the win gave his side useful time in the middle before the England series.
So Baker waits. Lord’s can be a daunting place for a debut — the slope, the noise, the weight of history, all of it. But for a young fast bowler trying to force his way into England’s red-ball plans, there are few better stages.
A first cap at the Home of Cricket would be a big leap. England now have to decide whether Baker is ready to take it.
