Worcestershire’s gamers are set to pay a particular tribute to Josh Baker for the rest of the season.
The cricket world was despatched into shock final week when Baker’s membership revealed the 20-year-old had handed away earlier than tributes started to movement in for the proficient spinner.
Mail Sport has since realized that Baker was discovered lifeless in his residence by a good friend 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 participating in a second workforce sport in his house county when he died, with the match deserted and dominated a draw following the information.
With the membership nonetheless in mourning, Worcestershire have revealed a heartwarming manner that they may pay respects to their participant for the rest of the marketing campaign by carrying his quantity on their shirts.
Worcestershire’s gamers are set to pay tribute to Josh Baker (pictured) for the rest of the season after his passing
The gamers will put on Baker’s No 33 on their kits for the remainder of the marketing campaign, debuting the look on Friday in opposition to Kent
Baker’s quantity shall be displayed on the entrance of the equipment under the Worcestershire badge
The gamers will put on Baker’s No 33 on the entrance of their shirts till the season is over as a tribute to their team-mate.
The quantity is ready to be printed on the entrance of the membership’s shirts, under the crest.
‘Sporting Josh’s quantity on their shirts is a manner for the workforce, and all concerned with Worcestershire cricket, to pay tribute to his reminiscence and preserve his spirit alive on the sphere,’ mentioned membership chief government Ashley Giles.
‘It’s clear from the outpouring of affection we have seen, following final week’s terrible information, that Josh touched the lives of everybody who had the privilege of understanding him.’
Giles, who added that Baker’s dad and mom, Lisa and Paul, had requested him to provide their thanks for the outpouring of help for his or her son, added: ‘As all of us proceed to navigate via this very troublesome time, we encourage our members, supporters, and the cricketing neighborhood to hitch us in honouring Josh’s reminiscence and have fun the lifetime of a outstanding younger man who will perpetually maintain a particular place in our hearts.’
Paul and Lisa Baker wrote on Fb: ‘We’re each damaged. Achieved so lots of his desires earlier than reaching 21.
‘Take each alternative to hug your dad and mom and kids. We have taken nice consolation from the numerous messages obtained up to now – preserve sharing and posting your recollections please.’
Worcestershire on Friday opened a guide of condolence within the Severn Suite at their New Highway headquarters, as tributes continued to pour in from buddies and the cricket neighborhood all over the world describing Josh as an ‘inspiring’ and ‘real’ younger sportsman.
Baker’s dad and mom Lisa (left) and Paul (proper) expressed their gratitude for the help since their son’s passing
Worcestershire chief government Ashley Giles (proper) mentioned his workforce will ‘preserve Baker’s spirit alive on the sphere’
Baker was taking part in in a second workforce sport in opposition to Somerset when he was discovered by a good friend
Baker’s demise is being investigated by Senior Worcestershire Coroner David Reid.
Baker took three wickets in opposition to Somerset at Bromsgrove for his facet’s second workforce on Wednesday final week, and beforehand featured in two Vitality County Championship video games final month.
A matter of hours earlier than his passing, Worcestershire’s X account shared a compilation of the teen’s efforts throughout Wednesday’s session.
Baker picked up three wickets together with his left-arm orthodox bowling, dismissing Thomas Rew – brother of England hopeful James – Josh Thomas and present England star Jack Leach.
A heartbreaking interview with Baker after he had simply signed a brand new take care of Worcestershire final 12 months emerged within the wake of his demise, the place he revealed his pleasure for the season forward and his ambitions to play for England sooner or later having already toured with their Underneath 19 facet.
The left-arm bowler was a travelling reserve for England on the Underneath-19 World Cup in 2022 and had revealed his ambitions to play for his nation at senior leve;
Former England captain Michael Vaughan supplied a tribute to Baker on social media
He mentioned: ‘That was a day I actually loved. I did not handle to get any wickets however I batted fairly properly. My dad and mom had been there as effectively, which was good.
‘Hopefully I do not end on 61 and have just a few runs left in me. I am seeking to construct on that.’
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 buddies,’ Vaughan wrote.
