England's most recent One-Day International (ODI) disaster is spearheaded by Sonny Baker's unexpected and problematic debut album

England's One Day International (ODI) match against South Africa at Headingley saw the debut of Sonny Baker, but it was a day filled with familiar struggles for the English team.

Jos Buttler, England's greatest-ever white-ball batter, handed Baker his first cap, but the youngster's performance was overshadowed by England's batting collapses. Criticism of England's batting strategy has been mounting, with Mark Butcher stating that the team lacks an "absorption button".

Baker's struggles were highlighted by Jofra Archer's performance at the other end. Aiden Markram, South Africa's opener, scored runs off Baker's opening spell, including an eighth four at the end of the fourth over. Despite reaching 100 runs, Smith was dismissed at a crucial point, leading to a collapse in England's innings.

Sonny Baker, who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur, has shown skill and tenacity in his short career, but has not played a 50-over professional game since 2022. His debut came amidst discussions about whether he could be a bolter for the Ashes squad.

England's batting woes were further emphasized by the fact that no other team has been bowled out more times than they have in 50-over cricket. Since the end of the 2023 World Cup, England have the third-lowest average for their first two wickets among Full Member nations.

Jamie Overton's shock withdrawal from the team made the possibility of Baker's inclusion more likely. However, his debut was not without its own controversies. Baker conceded the most runs of any England bowler on debut, with the second-highest economy rate for a debutant of all time, with a minimum of five overs bowled.

The match served as a reminder of England's current standing in 50-over cricket. Scotland, Nepal, and the USA all average more before they're two down compared to England. South Africa, who recently beat Australia, highlighted the gap between England and the top teams in the format.

Jamie Smith, another debutant in the match, acknowledged the need to slow down his tempo after the Champions Trophy fiasco. Smith played a cautious innings in the match, putting away bad balls and bringing down the tempo when wickets fell.

Despite the challenges faced by Baker and the team, the match provided a valuable learning experience for the young players. The focus now shifts to the Ashes, where England will look to turn things around and regain their dominance in Test cricket.

England's most recent One-Day International (ODI) disaster is spearheaded by Sonny Baker's unexpected and problematic debut album