Worcestershire’s left-arm spinner, Josh Baker, has tragically passed away at the age of 20. He was found dead in his apartment by a friend after not answering his phone.
Despite his young age, Baker had already made two appearances for the county this season and had shown promise with his performance. Just before his death, he had taken 3 for 66 in the first innings of Worcestershire’s four-day 2nd XI Championship match against Somerset.
Baker made his first-class debut in 2021 and had played a total of 47 games across all formats, claiming 70 wickets. Born in Redditch, he had come through the ranks at New Road and had also represented England at the U-19 level.
Worcestershire County Cricket Club is heartbroken to announce the untimely passing of Josh Baker, who was aged only 20 years old.
The love and prayers of everyone at the Club go out to Josh’s family and friends at this time.
➡️ https://t.co/p5C9G0apV0 pic.twitter.com/DNNOnG4Gy7
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) May 2, 2024
Last year, Baker signed a three-year contract with Worcestershire after recovering from a back injury he suffered in 2022. His contributions were vital in helping Worcestershire win promotion from Championship Division Two, playing five Championship games.
In a statement, Worcestershire expressed their sorrow at the loss of the young cricketer, describing him as a “vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm.” They highlighted his warmth, kindness, and professionalism, praising him as a credit to his family and a beloved member of the team.
Worcestershire’s chief executive, Ashley Giles, offered a personal message, saying, “The news of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated. Josh was much more than a team-mate; he was an integral part of our cricket family. We will all miss him terribly.”
In 2022, Baker faced a challenging moment when he was hit for 34 runs in one over by Ben Stokes during a match between Worcestershire and Durham. Stokes, in a gesture of sportsmanship, sent Baker a text message on WhatsApp, encouraging him and praising his potential.
The England Cricket Board (ECB) expressed its deep sadness at Baker’s passing, extending condolences to his family, friends, and everyone at Worcestershire CCC. Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, also expressed his condolences, calling Baker’s passing “absolutely heartbreaking.”