Worcestershire County Cricket Club is reeling from the sudden death of promising cricketer Josh Baker, who passed away at the young age of 20. Described by his former coach, Shaftab Khalid, as “a brilliant guy and a fantastic cricketer,” Baker’s untimely demise has left a profound void in both the team and the cricketing community.
West Mercia Police, upon initial assessment, have ruled out any suspicious circumstances surrounding Baker’s passing on Thursday. However, the exact cause remains undisclosed pending further investigation, as confirmed by the senior coroner for Worcestershire.
Baker’s journey in cricket began in the youth ranks of Worcestershire, where Khalid nurtured his talent. Reflecting on Baker’s character, Khalid shared, “Worcestershire lost not just a very talented cricketer but also an amazing and wonderful human being. He was such a nice, humble and sweet person.”
Despite his tender age, Baker had already made significant strides in his cricketing career. Making his first-class debut in 2021 and representing England Under-19s, he signed a three-year contract with Worcestershire last year. His contributions to the team were notable, with 70 wickets in 47 games across all formats.
Khalid reminisced on Baker’s impact, noting his role as a mentor figure to younger players, saying, “He was the heart and soul of the dressing room… He was an all-format cricketer and had a massive future.”
The cricketing fraternity, including England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and England women’s coach Jon Lewis, has extended condolences to Baker’s family and the Worcestershire community. Lewis expressed the shock felt by the club and its personnel, emphasizing the tight-knit nature of the cricketing world.
As a tribute to Baker’s memory, Worcestershire County Cricket Club has opened its New Road ground for those wishing to pay their respects and sign a book of condolence.