Captain Phil Salt compared 22-year-old fast bowler Sonny Baker to England great James Anderson after he shone in Manchester Originals’ 10-run win over London Spirit at Old Trafford.
Baker began Spirit’s chase of 164 with five dots and conceded only four runs when asked to bowl the first 10 deliveries.
He troubled two international greats in David Warner and Kane Williamson, who have a combined 38,000 international runs to their name, with swing and lively pace.
That helped limit the Spirit’s scoring and, despite Australian Warner hitting 71, the hosts, who left out Anderson after defeats in their opening two games, were always in control.
Warner was caught down the leg side off England seamer Josh Tongue with 38 needed from 15 and Baker returned to dismiss Australia international Ashton Turner for 13 – a deserved reward for a fine spell that cost only 22 runs.
“He was outstanding,” Salt told Sky Sports.
“Jimmy had a rest today but that is the closest to what he did, if not better. It will be hard to pick seamers for the next match.”
Anderson also praised the highly-rated Baker, who was awarded an England development contract earlier this year despite having never played a County Championship match at that stage.
“I have seen a lot of footage of Baker but not seen a lot of him live,” Anderson told Sky Sports. “I have been so impressed.
“Tonight he bowled outstandingly well. He has got pace, skill, swings the ball both ways. He has a lot going for him.”
Earlier another talented youngster, 20-year-old Durham batter Ben McKinney, crashed three sixes in a 12-ball 29 on debut to give the hosts a fast start.
From there, contributions of 31 from Phil Salt, 46 from Jos Buttler and 24 by Heinrich Klaasen helped the Originals post 163-6.