Not like his fellow debutant wicketkeeper James Rew, who was advised he was changing Jamie Smith within the sauna on Tuesday, Baker had a few days to arrange for his Take a look at bow after Ollie Robinson’s knee scan on Saturday.
A eager note-maker, Baker has a ebook with pointers to recollect for every battle but in addition the way to take care of the stress that comes from a debut on cricket’s largest stage.
Numerous it’s about embracing the event.
“Even final night time I used to be struggling to eat, and fuelling as a quick bowler is tremendous essential,” he mentioned. “This morning I felt the anxiousness construct up in my abdomen.
“I used to be fairly trustworthy with people who I used to be fairly nervous going into the day. When you begin warming up, the whole lot goes away and also you get caught in.”
With England naming three debutants of their XI for the primary time in 9 years, the pre-match huddle went on longer than some first dates.
Rew acquired his cap from a fellow Somerset batter Marcus Trescothick, whereas Jordan Cox bought his from Essex legend Nasser Hussain.
Baker, a self-proclaimed fast-bowling geek, was handed his from one other within the county he has simply joined – former England fast Steven Finn.
“The cap presentation was extra emotional than the rest, seeing how proud my mother and father had been,” he admitted.
“I used to be attempting to not get emotional in entrance of the remainder of the lads, however I used to be struggling a bit.”
When Baker’s first wicket-taking over was full, maybe with the emotion effervescent, he initially headed the improper means, turning for deep third relatively than his fielding place of lengthy leg.
After correcting, he was greeted by a bit of The Oval crowd rising to applaud him.
“That was correct,” mentioned Baker. “In T20s and stuff, when there’s music on you do not actually sense the group fairly as a lot.
“When it is silent and there is only a trumpet within the background, you actually really feel the group getting behind you.”
It isn’t misplaced that Baker’s Take a look at debut got here on such an uncommon day.
Three debutants, one man holding extra caps than the remainder of the crew mixed, and the captain greater than 250 miles away along with his profession within the stability.
Removed from best, however England appeared upbeat and tight-knit all through.
“It is really been nice,” added the Devon-born Baker. “The lads have tried to place that behind us and take care of the state of affairs as it’s.
“The relaxed nature of the atmosphere actually helps from a nerves standpoint.”
Quickly after, Baker’s duties on day one had been performed as he turned to a different sporting occasion.
“The remainder of the lads will likely be fuming if I take for much longer,” he mentioned as he left the stage.
There was World Cup soccer to look at.
The previous week, with the whole lot surrounding the Ben Stokes state of affairs, has been a darkish week for English cricket.
This was a Sonny day.
