Abbott's mentorship has 'changed my life' - Baker

Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker has been reflecting on the "life-changing" mentorship provided by county team-mate Kyle Abbott that led to him making his England Test debut.

The 23-year-old came into Brendon McCullum's side for the second Test against New Zealand, taking three wickets across both innings at the Oval.

Baker was one of three debutants in the team, alongside James Rew and Jordan Cox, and despite England losing by 253 runs, Baker was delighted to be given a chance to play for his country.

"It's been awesome to get around the group and what an experience to have at such a young age," he told BBC South Today.

"It's all well and good hearing that Test cricket is a different standard and a step-up, but when you really experience it, it gives me a really clear picture of what I need to go away and work on if I'm going to come back into that environment.

"I was chatting with Kyle, who was good enough to come into the ground just to chat to me the other day. We had a really good reflection on it all where I got a bit emotional and we had a little cuddle after talking about the whole journey.

"I felt like I was repeating things to him that he had already said to me but I really understood them this time."

For the past two County Championship seasons, Baker has cited Abbott as a key player in his development, offering advice and mentorship from mid-off as he goes about his work.

The 39-year-old Abbott represented South Africa between 2013 and 2017 and joined Hampshire in 2017, having also played for the club as an overseas player in 2014.

Baker moved to Hampshire from Somerset in 2025 and has gone from strength to strength with the Rose and Crown, impressing across all three formats.

"Abbo has just been phenomenal here for me and my development," Baker said.

"He's such a great resource and I'm so grateful to have him here. The experiences I've had talking to him have genuinely changed my life."

What makes Baker stand out to many is his electric pace with the ball, having clocked 92mph already this season.

He returned to Hampshire's T20 Blast side on Friday night and took two wickets in the final over of the Yorkshire innings in a match they eventually won with just one ball to spare.

Hampshire remain top of the South Group despite losing to Kent on Sunday, but attention now turns back to internationals for Baker, who has been named in the England squad for their T20I series against India.

He will be hoping to put his disappointing T20 England debut against Ireland in September, where he failed to take a wicket, behind him for this series, which includes a match at Hampshire's Utilita Bowl.

"I've had a limited amount of experience for England so far," Baker said. "But I've been in and around it and it'll be so cool to get involved and hopefully stand a chance of playing against one of if not the best side in the world."