Baker puts pen to paper on two-year deal with Somerset CCC | 'I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to continue to work with him for at least the next couple of years and watch him move closer to achieving his full potential and aspirations' â€

TORQUAY’S Sonny Baker has become the latest in a long line of Devon cricketers to sign a professional contract with Somerset.

Baker, who is 18 and played for Torquay, has signed a two-year contact that will keep him at Somerset until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Baker is following in the bowling footmarks of Dom Bess, the Overton twins, Lewis Gregory, James Burke, Ollie Sale and others who have become part of the Taunton set-up in recent seasons.

Sonny, who grew-up playing through the Devon youth system, and first played for Somerset 2nd XI in 2019, has been a key element of the Somerset squad in this year’s Royal London Cup.

He joined the Somerset Academy last autumn and featured in the England Development under-19 Programme North-against-South matches.

After signing his contract, Sonny said: “Signing for Somerset is incredible. It’s the sort of thing that you dream about. It’s something I’ve worked really hard for, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“Everything’s happened really fast. Just over a year ago I wasn’t even on the Academy. Now I’ve had a taste of first-team cricket and I want more.”

It’s been quite a week for Sonny who also excelled in his A-levels, as he explained.

“Obviously, we had a game on Tuesday, so I didn’t look at my results until the evening. I wanted to concentrate on the game, and my results were going to be the same at 6 o’clock as they would be at 8:30 in the morning. I’m really pleased with my results which were two As and a B.”

Andy Hurry, Somerset CCC’s director of cricket, is delighted to have secured the services of the young paceman.

“It’s been really exciting to observe the development and performances of Sonny through the Academy programme, under-18s county age-group cricket, 2nd XI cricket, and most recently, the Royal London Cup,” said Hurry.

“I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to continue to work with him for at least the next couple of years and watch him move closer to achieving his full potential and aspirations.”

Steve Snell the head of talent pathway at Somerset added: “I’m delighted for Sonny. He has put in an unbelievable amount of work into earning an opportunity both physically and mentally.

“He has also conscientiously managed significant educational commitments and has been able to obtain excellent results, which is a credit to his self-organisation skills.

“He has the desire to keep improving and he has shown significant growth in all areas of his game. It’s a credit to him that he has been rewarded with some first-team appearances for his efforts. Sonny is a great example of someone who is getting the rewards for all the hard work, effort and smart thinking that he has put in.

“We’ve been working closely and collaboratively with King’s College and Devon Cricket to ensure that Sonny gets the best possible support, and Sonny has formed an outstanding working relationship with pathway bowling coach, Andrew Griffiths, who has spent considerable time and effort with Sonny over the past three years. Today is a proud day for Sonny and his family, and I am looking forward to many more successful performances for Somerset from Sonny.”

Matt Theedom, managing director of Devon Cricket said: “We’re really proud that Sonny’s been offered a contract. It’s testament to his work ethic and him as a young man. 

“Being a professional cricketer is what he has always dreamed of, and it’s fantastic that Somerset have been able to offer him that opportunity.”

Phil Lewis, King’s Schools director of sport, said: “Sonny came to us as a very promising youngster and has worked his socks off for this well-deserved success.

“He has put a huge amount of work into not only his bowling action but also his strength and conditioning.

“If there was ever a role model for our younger cricketers to follow it would be Sonny. He has tapped into every ounce of what King’s can offer our cricketers and we wish him all the best for what we know will be a bright future.”

The news of Sonny’s contract has also been well received in his home county. Devon County Cricket Club chairman, Neil Gamble said: “We are delighted that Sonny has risen so quickly and has now signed full professional terms with Somerset.”