The final video of tragic cricketer Josh Baker in action shows the talented youngster in the wickets.
The Worcestershire spinner has died at the age of 20, his club announced on Thursday. The Pears said they were “devastated” by the loss of the former England Under-19 international, who was in action for the county’s second XI less than 24 hours before the shock news.
No further details have been shared about the circumstances of the youngster’s passing, with the club requesting privacy and respect for his family. Baker took three wickets against Somerset at Bromsgrove on Wednesday, with the game abandoned as a draw on Thursday. He previously featured in two Vitality County Championship games last month.
A video of the wickets has been circulated on social media and shows Baker successfully appealing for lbw before taking two caught-and-bowled chances. Worcestershire chief executive, Ashley Giles, is among those to pay tribute to Baker.
The former England spinner said: “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. All our love and prayers go out to Josh’s family and friends.”
(Image: @WorcsCCC)
Baker turned professional in 2021, taking 43 wickets in 22 first-class appearances, the last of which came against Durham less than a fortnight ago. He also played 17 List A games and eight T20s and was a travelling reserve for England at the Under-19 World Cup in 2022.
Condolences and tributes poured in from around the wider game, with the England and Wales Cricket Board mourning the “devastating news” on X.
Daryl Mitchell, chief operating officer at the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) and one time Worcestershire team-mate of Baker, wrote: “Bakes was an infectious character that became the life and soul of the dressing room at such a young age. Thoughts with the family and everyone at WCCC.”