Cricket star Josh Baker has died simply two weeks earlier than his twenty first birthday – with Michael Vaughan main the tributes for the proficient Worcestershire spinner.
Baker was enjoying for his county’s second XI simply yesterday, with a press release from membership chief govt Ashley Giles saying the information of the sportsman’s demise has left ‘us all devastated’.
Baker took three wickets towards Somerset at Bromsgrove yesterday, with the sport deserted as a draw on Thursday, and beforehand featured in two Vitality County Championship video games final month.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan led tributes to Baker on social media from the broader cricketing world.
‘That is so unhappy.. Ideas with all his household & shut associates,’ Vaughan wrote.
The England and Wales Cricket Board additionally provided their condolences to Baker’s household and associates.
‘The ECB is desperately unhappy to be taught of the passing of Josh Baker,’ a press release learn.
Worcestershire have mentioned they’re ‘heartbroken’ on the demise of 20-year-old spinner Josh Baker
The membership described Baker as having a ‘vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm’ in a tribute
Baker was enjoying for his county’s second XI simply yesterday
‘That is devastating information. We lengthen our greatest needs to Josh’s household and associates, to everybody who knew and liked him, and to everybody at Worcestershire CCC.’
No additional particulars have been shared in regards to the circumstances of the teen’s passing, with the membership requesting privateness and respect for his household.
Worcestershire’s assertion referred to Baker’s ‘premature passing’ and requested for his household’s privateness to be revered.
The assertion learn: ‘Worcestershire County Cricket Membership is heartbroken to announce the premature passing of Josh Baker, who was aged solely 20 years previous.
‘Throughout this profoundly troublesome time, the membership is devoted to supporting Josh’s household, associates, and colleagues. We’re united in our grief and dedicated to honouring his reminiscence in a way befitting the outstanding individual he was.
‘It was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everybody he met. His heat, kindness, and professionalism have been outstanding, making him a real credit score to his household and a liked member of our crew.
Worcestershire mentioned the membership is ‘devoted to supporting Baker’s household, associates and colleagues’
‘Plans to pay tribute to Josh will likely be made in session together with his household and can stay non-public presently. The membership, together with Josh’s household, requests the respect of privateness as we mourn this immense loss. Additional feedback won’t be offered throughout this delicate interval.’
Worcestershire chief govt, the previous England spinner Ashley Giles, provided a private message.
‘The information of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated. Josh was way more than a team-mate; he was an integral a part of our cricket household. We are going to all miss him terribly. All our love and prayers exit to Josh’s household and associates,’ mentioned Giles.
Baker turned skilled in 2021, taking 43 wickets in 22 first-class appearances, the final of which got here towards Durham lower than a fortnight in the past. He additionally performed 17 Checklist A video games and eight T20s and was a travelling reserve for England on the Beneath-19 World Cup in 2022.
Condolences and tributes poured in from across the wider recreation, with the England and Wales Cricket Board mourning the ‘devastating information’ on X.
Worcestershire confirmed Baker’s demise on social media having performed for the second crew yesterday
Former England captain Michael Vaughan provided a tribute to Baker on social media
The ECB mentioned it’s ‘desperately unhappy to be taught of the passing of Baker’
Daryl Mitchell, chief working officer on the Skilled Cricketers’ Affiliation and one time Worcestershire team-mate of Baker, wrote: ‘Bakes was an infectious character that turned the life and soul of the dressing room at such a younger age. Ideas with the household and everybody at WCCC.’
Pakistan spinner Usama Mir, one other former New Highway colleague of Baker’s, added: ‘So unhappy and upset to listen to the information of Josh’s passing. He was one of many nicest individuals you may meet. And a superb cricketer. Actually devastated to listen to this information. Ideas and prayers together with his household.’
PCA chief govt Rob Lynch mentioned the information was ‘unimaginable to understand’, whereas the ECB’s managing director of males’s cricket, Rob Key, tweeted: ‘That is completely heartbreaking. My ideas exit to all of Josh’s household.’
