Sonny Baker recorded the worst bowling figures by an England T20I debutant in the third match of the series against Ireland on Sunday (September 21).
Sonny Baker records worst figures by England T20I debutant
On Sunday, Baker became the 109th player to represent England in men's T20I cricket. He was entrusted with the new ball straight away and conceded eight runs off his first over. Baker bowled one more over in the powerplay, leaking 16 runs.
Ireland, who were in danger of being bowled out at 102-7 at the end of the 15th over, finished on 154-8 courtesy of Gareth Delany’s 48 not out off 29 balls. In the death overs, Baker conceded 28 runs from his two overs, finishing with expensive figures of 0-52. Rehan Ahmed (1-24 off three) was the only other England bowler to concede eight runs per over or more.
Baker's figures are now the worst by an England bowler on men's T20I debut. He broke Olly Stone's unwanted record of 0-36 in his maiden T20I appearance, against Pakistan in 2022. They are also the third-most expensive figures by an England bowler on debut after George Garton's 1-57 (v West Indies in 2022) and James Anderson's 1-64 (v Australia in 2007).
3rd T20I, Ireland vs England
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- Ball by ball Over
Baker's tough introduction to international cricket continues
Earlier this month, Baker also had a torrid outing on his ODI debut against South Africa. He went for 76 runs off his seven overs without taking a wicket while defending 132. Those were also the worst bowling figures by any England bowler on men's ODI debut, surpassing Liam Dawson’s 2-70 from eight overs against Pakistan in 2016. Baker also recorded the second-highest economy rate for an ODI debutant of all time (with a minimum of five overs bowled).
Baker, 22, was fast-tracked into the England side for his ability to hurry batters with his pace. He impressed during the Manchester Originals' Men's Hundred campaign, picking up nine wickets at an average of 16.22, including a hat-trick. He also took 19 wickets in the 2025 County Championship at an average of 36.10. Baker also impressed during the England Lions tour of Australia in January – with figures of 4-43, 1-28, and 3-60 – and could be a surprise inclusion for the upcoming Ashes Down Under.
Worst men's T20I bowling figures by England bowlers on debut
Most expensive men's T20I bowling figures by England bowlers on debut
| Player | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ | Opposition | Ground | Year |
| James Anderson | 4 | 64 | 1 | 16 | Australia | Sydney | 2007 |
| George Garton | 4 | 57 | 1 | 14.25 | West Indies | Bridgetown | 2022 |
| Sonny Baker | 4 | 52 | 0 | 13 | Ireland | Dublin (Malahide) | 2025 |
| Matt Potts | 4 | 48 | 2 | 12 | West Indies | Chester-le-Street | 2025 |
| Saqib Mahmood | 4 | 46 | 1 | 11.5 | New Zealand | Wellington | 2019 |
| Chris Tremlett | 4 | 45 | 2 | 11.25 | India | Durban | 2007 |
| Jake Ball | 4 | 44 | 1 | 11 | India | Cardiff | 2018 |
| Ryan Sidebottom | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.5 | West Indies | The Oval | 2007 |
| John Turner | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.5 | West Indies | Gros Islet | 2024 |
| Monty Panesar | 4 | 40 | 2 | 10 | Australia | Sydney | 2007 |
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