England Stick with Sonny Baker for Edgbaston Test

England have backed Sonny Baker for the decisive act of the summer, keeping the young seamer in their squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston – and leaving Brydon Carse on the outside again.

Carse, 31, has not featured since his arrest following an incident outside a Derby nightclub on August 22. Police briefly handcuffed the fast bowler that night, and he remains under investigation. His omission from the second Test at Lord’s has now stretched into a second match, with no route back yet offered.

The message from the selectors is clear: no disruption, no risks, not with a whitewash on the line.

Baker, retained after being drafted in for the Lord’s Test, stays as part of a pace group that has done enough to put England 2-0 up in the series. His presence underlines a willingness to keep faith with the group that has delivered control and cutting edge across the first two matches.

The only other adjustment is a quiet one. Matthew Fisher drops out of the squad, squeezed by the competition for seam spots as England trim their options for Birmingham.

Edgbaston, a ground that has so often roared England home in big series, now stages the finish. Pakistan arrive with pride at stake; England with the chance to close out a clean sweep in front of a partisan crowd.

The first ball goes down on September 9. The selection calls have been made. Now it’s over to the bowlers England have chosen to finish the job.