The news of Josh Baker’s death at the age of 20, a left-arm spinner from Worcestershire, has shocked English cricket.
Worcestershire requested “the respect of privacy” on behalf of Baker’s family in a club statement, declining to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his passing. Their chief executive, Ashley Giles, remarked that the club was “all devastated” by his passing.
“The news of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated,” Giles said. “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.”
Baker took 43 wickets in 22 first-class matches and another 27 in 25 white-ball games after signing his first contract with the team in 2021 at the age of 17.
As seen by his two half-centuries, including a career-best 75 against Gloucestershire in July 2023, he was also a developing all-round player. Later that season, in Worcestershire’s last-ever game at Headingley against Yorkshire, he made the crucial run that guaranteed a second batting point and, with it, the club’s promotion to the premier league, setting off fireworks on the visitors’ balcony.
Baker, who was raised in Redditch and attended Malvern College, progressed through the age groups at New Road and represented England’s under-19 team. He recently signed a three-year contract extension last season and played grade cricket for Northern District CC in the New South Wales Premier League in Sydney.
He had just taken 3 for 66 in the opening over of Worcestershire against Somerset’s four-day 2nd XI Championship match at Bromsgrove School on Wednesday. On the last day, the game was called off early.
Worcestershire won’t be playing in the County Championship round that begins on Friday. They won’t play again until they play Kent on May 10. It is anticipated that the five Championship matches that are scheduled for this weekend will take place, with players honouring him by donning black armbands.
In May 2022, Baker’s most memorable moment occurred at New Road against Durham. At the age of eighteen, he was playing in his ninth first-class match when he faced Ben Stokes, who had just been named England captain and was determined to make a statement with his innings.
After finishing on 161 from 88 balls, Baker was duly hammered for 34 in an over (five sixes and a one-bounce four). However, Stokes reached out to Baker on WhatsApp, pleading with him not to “let today define the rest of your season”.
“During this profoundly difficult time, the club is dedicated to supporting Josh’s family, friends, and colleagues. We are united in our grief and committed to honouring his memory in a manner befitting the remarkable person he was.
“Plans to pay tribute to Josh will be made in consultation with his family and will remain private at this time. The club, along with Josh’s family, requests the respect of privacy as we mourn this immense loss. No further comments will be provided during this sensitive period.”