Hampshire's Sonny Baker named PCA Men's Young Player of the Year

Hampshire and England pace bowler Sonny Baker has been named the Toyota PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year for 2026.

Baker, 23, took 50 wickets for Hampshire across the Rothesay County Championship and Vitality Blast, as well as 10 wickets for England and 12 for Manchester Originals and won The Hundred for the first time.

He becomes the first Hampshire player to win the award since its inception in 1990.

Baker said: "I’m absolutely delighted. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, I genuinely really do appreciate it; it’s such an awesome feeling. There's obviously some very, very impressive names on that trophy, and to be included in the list is fantastic.

"I’ve been really thankful for so many opportunities this year, including Finals Day and the number of games I have played for England. I’ve loved it. My Test debut was something I've been dreaming about since I started cricket at 11 years old. I remember Brooky’s words in one of the team talks when he said, ‘everything you do is 100 miles an hour’ and that was probably the best compliment I could receive. It's hard to put 2026 into words; I’m over the moon."

Baker took 29 wickets in the County Championship – the second-most for Hampshire – at an average of 24 and a strike rate of under 42.

He also claimed 21 wickets in the Vitality Blast, the second-most for the club, including two five-wicket hauls in the Hawks’ quarter-final against Essex and final against Northamptonshire Steelbacks, becoming the first man to take a five-for on Finals Day.

His performances earned him a Test call-up, and he made his debut against New Zealand at The Oval where he took three wickets.

In The Hundred, he claimed 13 wickets – the second-most in the competition – for Manchester Super Giants as the team won the men’s competition for the first time.