A heartbreaking interview with Josh Baker has emerged, through which he could be seen talking on his ambitions for the long run slightly over a yr previous to his tragic loss of life.
The cricket world was despatched into shock on Thursday when Baker’s membership revealed the 20-year-old had handed away earlier than tributes started to stream in for the gifted spinner.
Mail Sport has since discovered that Baker was discovered lifeless in his residence by a buddy after he did not present up for the beginning of play on the third day of his crew’s match towards Somerset.
Baker was participating in a second crew recreation in his dwelling county when he died, with the match deserted and dominated a draw following the information.
A day after his passing, a video of an interview with the spinner on the again of signing a brand new contract and coming back from damage final summer season has emerged and makes for heartbreaking viewing.
Heartbreaking footage of Josh Baker has emerged, through which he could be seen talking about his ambitions for the long run
The gifted cricketer was discovered lifeless in his residence by a buddy when he failed to show up for a recreation he was enjoying in
The left-arm bowler was a travelling reserve for England on the Underneath-19 World Cup in 2022 and was focusing on the senior squad
‘It’s totally thrilling, the long run as effectively,’ Baker could be seen saying. ‘Simply to have a little bit of safety. After the damage as effectively, not enjoying since August, it is loads of safety, very comfortable to signal that contract.
‘Very constructive, again to full health, again to bowling, again to doing every little thing, again with the lads as effectively which is sweet, so totally match and able to go. All programs go, inexperienced gentle.
‘It was a really large step up from college cricket, loads of drained legs, T20 has ben an enormous step up with the depth of it and enjoying towards large names which has been a little bit of a problem however one which I’ve loved.
‘Many of the lads had been a extremely large assist, telling me to maintain doing what I am doing and that is ok. the largest problem is bowling to excellent gamers like Joe Root, Dawid Malan.’
Baker, then 19, had simply put pen to paper on a brand new contract to remain at Worcestershire till the tip of the 2025 season.
He went onto make a complete of 47 appearances for his county after turning professional in 2021, with two coming earlier on this yr.
The gifted star could be seen within the video revealing his England ambitions, having been part of his nation’s Underneath 19 squad beforehand.
‘I need to try to stand up the order and bat seven or eight,’ he stated. ‘Be a real all-rounder as a result of attempting get into the Take a look at aspect or the Lions aspect you want to have the ability to maintain a bat as effectively.
‘At some stage I need to try to get there and even farther from there. Seeing Haynes and Tongue away with the Lions this winter and actually going effectively has actually moist my apatite for it slightly bit extra.’
Worcestershire stated they had been ‘heartbroken’ on the loss of life of 20-year-old spinner Baker
Baker was enjoying in a second crew recreation towards Somerset, taking three wickers on Wednesday
He went onto reveal the season ambitions for Worcestershire, who went onto earn promotion to Division One, saying: ‘I really feel like we’ve a genuinely good squad and have recruited fairly effectively. I believe we are going to do effectively in each competitors.
‘We’ve got spoken in regards to the willingness to win each recreation, try to win Division Two, the Blast and the 50 over, these are our goals for this yr.’
A matter of hours earlier than Baker’s passing, Worcestershire’s X (previously Twitter) account shared a compilation of the teen’s efforts on Wednesday through the ongoing match towards Somerset.
He had taken three wickets on Wednesday within the recreation, together with that of present England star Jack Leach.
The assertion learn: ‘Worcestershire County Cricket Membership is heartbroken to announce the premature passing of Josh Baker, who was aged solely 20 years outdated.
‘Throughout this profoundly troublesome time, the membership is devoted to supporting Josh’s household, pals, and colleagues. We’re united in our grief and dedicated to honouring his reminiscence in a fashion 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 had been outstanding, making him a real credit score to his household and a beloved member of our crew.
‘Plans to pay tribute to Josh will probably be made in session together with his household and can stay personal presently. The membership, together with Josh’s household, requests the respect of privateness as we mourn this immense loss. Additional feedback is not going to be supplied throughout this delicate interval.’
Baker’s dad and mom, in the meantime, have stated they’re ‘damaged’ following their son’s passing.
‘We’re each damaged. Achieved so lots of his desires earlier than reaching 21,’ they wrote on social media. ‘Take each alternative to hug your dad and mom and kids.’
Baker’s dad and mom Lisa and Paul took to Fb to share their devastation and thank pals and kinfolk for sharing their recollections of their son
The heartbreaking remark was accompanied by a poignant {photograph} of the couple hugging Josh on the boundary at Worcestershire County Cricket Membership.
They added: ‘We have taken nice consolation from the various messages obtained thus far – hold sharing and posting your recollections please.’
It has emerged that Baker was recognized as diabetic from a really younger age and a medical reason behind loss of life is being explored.
His loss of life is being investigated by the coroner and an inquest is predicted to be opened subsequent week.
