{"id":186355,"date":"2026-06-27T01:49:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T07:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=186355"},"modified":"2026-06-27T01:49:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T07:19:33","slug":"former-england-seamer-plunkett-turns-to-baseball-debuts-with-strikeout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=186355","title":{"rendered":"Former England seamer Plunkett turns to baseball, debuts with strikeout"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71153712\">Former England cricketer Liam Plunkett swapped his cricket colours for a \u200bbaseball glove on Friday, playing his first game \u200cfor independent American club Oakland Ballers \u200band even claiming a strikeout.<\/p>\n<p>Plunkett, \u206041, was part of England\u2019s 2019 World Cup-winning side \u2014 his final international appearance \u2014 taking three wickets \u200cin the tied final against New Zealand as England emerged victorious \u200cby the narrowest of margins on \u200cboundary \u2060count. He subsequently moved to the \u2060United States, where his wife is from, and has since played Major League Cricket for the San \u200bFrancisco Unicorns.<\/p>\n<p>His latest \u200cventure came with the Ballers, who participate in the Pioneer Baseball League (PBL), an independent competition and official Major League Baseball (MLB) \u200cPartner League. The seam bowler featured \u200bunder the PBL\u2019s \u201cmarketing player\u201d exception, a clause which allows teams to \u2060temporarily sign high-profile cross-sport athletes.<\/p>\n<p>Facing the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds at Raimondi Park, Plunkett started on \u200cthe mound and recorded a strikeout in the process.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOriginally, I thought it\u2019s like the ceremonial open pitch, but it was the real thing. I was first on the mound, a little bit nervous, \u200cbut the catcher was excellent,\u201d Plunkett said in \u200ba post-game interview.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut yeah, I mean I got that strikeout. I think \u2060the hitter didn\u2019t know what was coming. I \u2060think it was a bit unusual, a mix between bowling and then \u200cpitching.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlay first game, get a strikeout. What more could I ask for? \u200bHappy days!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jun 27, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/liam-plunkett-switches-sport-cricket-to-baseball-debut\/article71153712.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former England cricketer Liam Plunkett swapped his cricket colours for a \u200bbaseball glove on Friday, playing his first game \u200cfor independent American club Oakland Ballers \u200band even claiming a strikeout.&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":186356,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-186355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2019-07-09T105109Z_858962876_RC12BDCABBC0_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-WORLDCUP-AUS-ENG-PREVIEW.JPG","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":184810,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184810","url_meta":{"origin":186355,"position":0},"title":"Football Fever, Cricket Buzz: England Juggles Two World Cups","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Women\u2019s T20 World Cup in England has competition. The football World Cup kicked off on the other side of the Atlantic a day earlier. Since England is playing in what is arguably the greatest sporting event on the planet, there is considerable interest across this football-mad nation. Home to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280337780.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280337780.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280337780.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280337780.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2280337780.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":176736,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176736","url_meta":{"origin":186355,"position":1},"title":"KS Bharat announces retirement from international cricket","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Former India wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 32. Bharat represented India in seven Tests between 2023 and 2024, scoring 221 runs at an average of 20.09. He was initially called up as a back-up keeper for India\u2019s tour of West Indies,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3704.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3704.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3704.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3704.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3704.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":178731,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=178731","url_meta":{"origin":186355,"position":2},"title":"South Africa\u2019s Johan Botha quits as Queensland and Brisbane Heat coach","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Former South African white-ball captain Johan Botha on Tuesday quit as coach of Queensland and the Big Bash League (BBL) side Brisbane Heat with a year left on his contract. The 44-year-old steered Queensland to the Sheffield Shield final in his first year at the helm, but failed to win\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781046445_image2025.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781046445_image2025.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781046445_image2025.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781046445_image2025.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1781046445_image2025.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":184076,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=184076","url_meta":{"origin":186355,"position":3},"title":"Stokes and Atkinson cleared by Cricket Regulator after nightclub incident","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 22, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson will face no further action over the nightclub incident that prompted their exile from missing last week\u2019s second Test against New Zealand. The Cricket Regulator\u2019s ruling on Monday, which effectively clears the England captain and his team-mate, comes after the duo were recalled on Sunday\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image203.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":173478,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=173478","url_meta":{"origin":186355,"position":4},"title":"WCL to return for third season in October","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The World Championship of Legends (WCL), claiming to be the world\u2019s second most-watched cricket league with 423 million global viewers, will return for its third season in October. The league, built around cricket\u2019s most iconic rivalries and retired superstars, has carved out a unique space on the global cricket calendar.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp20Image202026-05-2820at2011.29.1120AM.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp20Image202026-05-2820at2011.29.1120AM.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp20Image202026-05-2820at2011.29.1120AM.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp20Image202026-05-2820at2011.29.1120AM.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp20Image202026-05-2820at2011.29.1120AM.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":171738,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=171738","url_meta":{"origin":186355,"position":5},"title":"Jofra Archer\u2019s IPL stay a \u2018collaborative decision\u2019, says Rajasthan Royals head coach Sangakkara","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"As the debate continues within England cricket over Jofra Archer\u2019s decision to remain in the IPL ahead of the home Test against New Zealand, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara insisted the fast bowler\u2019s extended stay was the result of a \u201ccollaborative decision\u201d involving both the player and the ECB.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/INDEX_IPL_T20_DC_RR_DELHI_98.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-MtJ","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=186355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/186355\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/186356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=186355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=186355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=186355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}