Sonny Baker, the high-energy Hampshire seamer, delivered a standout performance on Tuesday evening, taking three wickets for just 12 runs to help England secure a crushing 119-run victory against Sri Lanka. This marked England's opening match in the Vitality T20 series, played at Baker's home ground in Southampton.
The 23-year-old's contribution was pivotal in dismantling Sri Lanka, who were skittled for 135. Baker clean-bowled Kamil Mishara, had Lahiru Udara caught, and later pinged Maheesh Theekshana's off stump. This performance follows his three wickets on his Test debut against New Zealand in June, and he expressed feeling more at home playing for his country.
England's formidable total of 254 for four was largely built on Harry Brook's unbeaten 114, which included a 42-ball century, and Jos Buttler's 80 runs. Brook's century was his first in 18 international innings across all formats and England's joint second-fastest in T20.