A heartbreaking video has proven Josh Baker taking three wickets for Worcestershire simply hours earlier than his tragic demise.
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 circulate in for the proficient spinner.
Mail Sport has since discovered that Baker was discovered lifeless in his condo by a buddy after he did not present up for the beginning of play on the third day of his workforce’s match in opposition to Somerset.
Baker, who performed 47 occasions for his county after turning professional in 2021, was collaborating in a second workforce recreation in his house county when he died, with the match deserted and dominated a draw following the information.
A matter of hours earlier than his passing, Worcestershire’s X (previously Twitter) account shared a compilation of the teenager’s efforts on Wednesday in the course of the match.
Footage has emerged of cricketer Josh Baker taking three wickets for Worcestershire simply hours earlier than his demise
Cricket star Josh Baker (centre) was discovered lifeless in his condo by a buddy after he did not present up for the beginning of play
Worcestershire stated they had been ‘heartbroken’ on the demise of 20-year-old spinner Baker, who was discovered lifeless on Thursday
Baker was enjoying in a second workforce recreation in opposition to Somerset when he was discovered by a buddy
Baker picked up three wickets along with his left-arm orthodox bowling, dismissing Thomas Rew – brother of England hopeful James – Josh Thomas and present England star Jack Leach.
He can first be seen taking the wicket of wicketkeeper Rew through LBW, lodging a passionate attraction earlier than the umpire provides the choice as out.
The wicket of Leach then falls, with the Somerset man spooning a shot up into the air and Baker taking the catch off his personal bowling.
Thomas can then be seen falling in the identical means, with Baker leaning ahead to take the catch.
Baker was due again on the sector in Bromsgrove on Thursday however the recreation has now come to an finish, with Worcestershire’s first workforce not in motion within the County Championship this week.
He had performed twice for his aspect’s first workforce this season.
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 pals,’ Vaughan wrote.
No additional particulars have been shared concerning the circumstances of the teenager’s passing, with the membership requesting privateness and respect for his household.
The spinner performed 47 occasions for county Worcestershire after changing into knowledgeable in 2021
The left-arm bowler was a travelling reserve for England on the Beneath-19 World Cup in 2022
Worcestershire stated Baker had ‘vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everybody he met’
Former England captain Michael Vaughan supplied a tribute to Baker on social media
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 tough 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 way befitting the exceptional 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 exceptional, making him a real credit score to his household and a liked member of our workforce.
‘Plans to pay tribute to Josh will probably be made in session along with his household and can stay personal at the moment. 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 government, the previous England spinner Ashley Giles, supplied a private message.
Worcestershire confirmed Baker’s demise on social media having performed for the second workforce on Wednesday
The ECB stated it’s ‘desperately unhappy to study of the passing of Baker’
‘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 pals,’ stated Giles.
Baker took a complete of 43 wickets in 22 First-Class appearances, the final of which coming in opposition to Durham lower than a fortnight in the past.
He additionally performed 17 Listing A video games and eight T20s and was a travelling reserve for England on the Beneath-19 World Cup in 2022.
The England and Wales Cricket Board additionally supplied their condolences to Baker’s household and pals.
‘The ECB is desperately unhappy to study of the passing of Josh Baker,’ a press release learn.
Ben Stokes had beforehand despatched a message to Baker after the 2 performed in opposition to one another
‘That is devastating information. We lengthen our greatest needs to Josh’s household and pals, to everybody who knew and liked him, and to everybody at Worcestershire CCC.’
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 grew to become 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 could possibly meet. And a superb cricketer. Actually devastated to listen to this information. Ideas and prayers along with his household.’
PCA chief government Rob Lynch stated the information was ‘not possible to grasp’, 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.’
England captain Ben Stokes despatched Baker a heartwarming message after they confronted off on-the-field two years in the past.
Stokes smashed 5 sixes off Baker’s bowling in a single over within the recreation when the spinner was simply 18, however took the time to ship him a textual content message of encouragement within the aftermath.
‘Hey Josh, Ben Stokes right here,’ Stokes wrote. ‘Hope you do not thoughts me sending you a message pal.
‘Please do not let at present outline the remainder of your season. Today social media is relentless and a vile place for keyboard warriors and people who find themselves jealous of us that we’re skilled cricketers they usually did not make it.
‘You’ve got acquired critical potential and I feel you may go a great distance. Most vital opinion is from the lads in your altering room, and they’ll have your again. That is coming from somebody who acquired mmeeeeeeeelted in a T20 World Cup remaining.’
Final yr, A video of Stokes’ innings within the recreation was shared by cricket publication Wisden on X (previously Twitter), and Baker replied to the publish, which options a few of Stokes’ pictures off the then-teenager’s bowling.
‘A day to recollect…’ Baker wrote, accompanied by a face with a peeking eye emoji. The publish was Baker’s final earlier than his demise.
