ENG vs SA 2025: England’s Sonny Baker sets unwanted record on ODI debut

ENG vs SA 2025: England’s Sonny Baker sets unwanted record on ODI debut. (Source: Getty Images)

Right-arm speedster Sonny Baker landed in the wrong books by becoming the first English bowler to concede runs at a 10-plus economy rate on ODI debut. Baker conceded 76 out of the 137 runs England conceded in the first ODI of the three-match series against South Africa.

Baker earned a maiden call to the national setup after a string of impressive performances for Manchester Originals in The Hundred Men’s 2025, picking nine wickets in seven matches while conceding only 146 runs in 116 balls. However, his debut was one to forget as he was punished severely by the visiting batters.

Highest economy rate for an English bowler on ODI debut (minimum seven overs):

England were bowled out for 131 in 24.3 overs before Baker was entrusted with bowling the first over of the run-chase. Aiden Markram crunched three boundaries off his very first over. Baker started off his second over with a couple of wides before getting crashed for a four and a couple of sixes as the Proteas raced off to 49 by the end of five overs, with Baker giving away 44 of them.

Three boundaries in his fourth over meant the 22-year-old had conceded 56 already. Baker’s fifth over was the tidiest out of his seven as he conceded only two runs, including a wide. The opposition were past the 100-run mark by the time Baker’s seventh over concluded and hopes for the English had already dissipated.

Markram ended up top-scoring with 86 off 55, comprising 13 fours and two sixes. Adil Rashid (3/26 in 3.5 overs) picked up all three wickets that fell. Jamie Smith (54 off 48) shone in the first innings. No other batter from the Harry Brook-led team surpassed 20. Seven batters from the hosts registered single-digit scores.

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