Sonny Baker took three wickets in one over late in the evening on Day One of Hampshire's County Championship fixture against Yorkshire, boosting his chances of a maiden Test call-up.
Baker, who made his T20I and ODI debuts for England last year, came on to bowl in the dying stages of the first day of play, which had seen Hampshire bowled out for 251. Yorkshire had already lost Finlay Bean, who was bowled by Kyle Abbott, before Baker ran in to bowl the 19th over of the innings.
The second ball of his over saw new Yorkshire signing Sam Whiteman squared up and struck on the pad, the umpire raising his finger after an animated appeal from Baker. That brought nightwatch Ben Coad to the crease, who safely negotiated a short ball from Baker first up, glancing it away behind square on the off side for no run. Baker's next ball was also short, although not dealt with as well as the previous by Coad. Shying away from a ball close to his body, it hit his gloves and popped up into the air, but landed safely in front of the keeper.
A fuller ball from Baker next up, however, took the inside edge of Coad's bat and ricocheted onto the ground before hitting the stumps. Coad departed for a duck and was replaced by James Wharton. Bowling the final ball of his over, Baker bowled an angled in yorker, which Wharton was unable to get his bat down on in time before it crashed into the base of his stumps. Baker wheeled away with both arms outstretched in celebration, pursued by his teammates.
Baker's burst gave him a triple-wicket maiden over, and also reduced Yorkshire to 37-4, eventually finishing the day at 48-4. When they returned to play on day two, Adam Lyth and Matt Revis rebuilt, taking them past 100 without further loss.
Baker boosts Test hopes
Baker was awarded an England development contract last winter, after impressing for the Lions in Australia. Capable of touching 90mph, Baker was fast-tracked to England contention and received his first England call-up for their ODI series against South Africa at the back-end of last summer. He endured a brutal debut, however, when he conceded 76 off seven overs, returning the most expensive figures ever by an England ODI debutant.
His T20I debut against Ireland later in the month was similarly difficult. He conceded figures of 0-52 in the only match he played in the series.
Nevertheless, Baker could still be in line for further England honours this summer. He was selected for the England Lions tour of Australia over the winter, and played in the Lions series against Pakistan Shaheens earlier this year. His ECB development contract was upgraded to a full central contract in November last year.
England's Test pace attack struggled in Australia, and places in the attack are likely up for grabs ahead of their series against New Zealand in June.
Match 18, Yorkshire vs Hampshire
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