Fast bowler Liam Plunkett has traded in his cricket whites for baseball spikes as he made a stunning debut on the diamond – and proved why he's still got the magic touch! The 41-year-old England hero, who helped lead the Three Lions to 2019 World Cup glory, took to the mound for the Oakland Ballers in the United States, sending down five scorching pitches against the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds on Friday night.
The home crowd at Raimondi Park was wowed by Plunkett's lightning-quick delivery, as he notched a crucial strikeout off Josh Duarte – watched by 1,878 ecstatic fans. But despite his individual brilliance, the Oakland Ballers ultimately fell short in an 18-11 defeat.
So what makes this cricketing convert so confident on the baseball pitch? Plunkett reckons it's down to a unique blend of his trusty bowling technique and traditional baseball pitching – describing it as "a bit unusual" but one that clearly worked! With five years' experience in the States, including a stint with Major League Cricket (MLC) outfit San Francisco Unicorns, Plunkett believes he's broken new ground as the first English cricketer to play pro baseball.
Before taking the field, Plunkett even gave batting a whirl – but it seems his heart lies in pitching. "I would have loved a monster home run for the Instagram likes," he chuckled, "but I'm happy with that strikeout." With 201 wickets under his belt across all formats, it's little wonder this cricketing legend is making waves in the baseball world.
While Plunkett says his Oakland Ballers debut won't signal a permanent switch from cricket – he remains committed to MLC – his remarkable story highlights the incredible crossover appeal and global reach of bat-and-ball sports. It's a thrilling example of an athlete adapting, innovating, and conquering new territories in their sport.
Source: BBC Sport