7 hours ago
8
Image source, PA Media
Baker also took 2-26 in the Originals' defeat by Southern Brave in their first match of the competition
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport Journalist
Highly-rated duo Ben McKinney and Sonny Baker caught the eye as Manchester Originals secured their first win of the men's Hundred season with a 10-run victory over London Spirit at Old Trafford.
Twenty-year-old Durham opener 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.
Hampshire bowler Sonny Baker, 22, then took the first 10 deliveries of the Spirit's chase and began with five dot balls as he troubled opener David Warner with swing and lively pace.
Though the Originals did not take wickets, they limited the Spirit's scoring and always felt in control of the chase despite Australian Warner hitting 71.
Warner was caught down the leg side off England seamer Josh Tongue with 38 needed from 15 and Baker dismissed Australia international Ashton Turner for 13 after being given the penultimate set - a deserved reward for a fine spell that cost only 22 runs.
Jamie Overton flogged 19 from seven balls to give the Spirit an outside chance but he was run out trying to keep the strike with three balls to go. The Spirit ended on 153-6.
'The closest thing to Jimmy'
This match featured 17 full internationals but it was two youngsters, currently uncapped but tipped for big things, who impressed most.
Baker, who took 2-26 in the Originals' opening game and was picked here with England great James Anderson rested, was given an England development contract in February after a successful winter with the Lions, despite having yet to make his County Championship debut.
This was him showing why he is so highly rated.
Warner was beaten outside off stump by the first three deliveries which zipped and moved away from the left-hander - each up towards 90mph. Only four runs come from the first 10 balls after Salt asked him to bowl back to back with opener New Zealand great Kane Williamson tied down like Warner.
After conceding 10 from his first 15 balls, all that was missing from his spell was a wicket. That came when he bowled quickly into the pitch and Turner was hurried. The right-hander skewed a catch into the leg side.
"He was outstanding," Salt told Sky Sports.
"Jimmy had a rest today but that is the closest to what he did, if not better. Really pleased with how Sonny has gone for us and it will be hard to pick seamers for the next match."
Durham opener McKinney is similarly regarded, having scored a century against Australia A on the same Lions trip.
He used all of his height and effortless hitting power to strike England spinner Liam Dawson for a straight six. Experienced seamer Richard Gleeson was also crunched back over his head and into the stands at square leg – the latter a 96m pulled six.
Though he holed out off Overton, it was that fast start – a stand of 47 in 21 balls with Salt – that sent the Originals on their way.
What is happening on Tuesday?
Birmingham Phoenix, still searching for their first win in the men's competition, host Oval Invincibles on Tuesday from 18:30 BST.
You will be able to watch both the women's (15:00 BST) and the men's games live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
