England Retains Sonny Baker for Edgbaston Test Finale

England have backed Sonny Baker to finish the job.

The young seamer has been retained in the squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston, a clear sign that the selectors are not ready to reopen the door for Brydon Carse after his off-field troubles last month.

Carse, 31, was dropped for the second Test at Lord’s after an incident outside a Derby nightclub on August 22 led to him being briefly handcuffed by police. He remains under investigation and stays out of the squad, his absence underlining how quickly a burgeoning international career can stall.

The only other adjustment is a quiet one: Matthew Fisher makes way. No fanfare, no drama, just the cold reality of selection as England trim their options for the series closer.

England head to Birmingham 2-0 up, with a clean sweep in their sights and the mood of a side that has seized control of the contest. Edgbaston, so often a cauldron for visiting teams, will host the finale from September 9, with Baker now firmly part of the plan and Carse watching events unfold from the outside.