A heartbreaking interview with Josh Baker has emerged in which he speaks about his ambitions for the future just over a year before his tragic death.
The cricket world was sent into shock on Thursday when Baker’s club revealed the 20-year-old had died before tributes started pouring in for the talented spinner.
Mail Sport has since learned that Baker was found dead in his apartment by a friend after failing to show up for the start of the match on the third day of his team’s match against Somerset.
Baker was taking part in a second team match in his home country when he died, with the match being abandoned and ruled a draw after the news.
A day after his death, a video of an interview with the spinner after he signed a new contract and returned from injury last summer has emerged and is heartbreaking to watch.
Heartbreaking footage has emerged of Josh Baker speaking about his ambitions for the future
The talented cricketer was found dead in his apartment by a friend when he failed to show up for a match he was playing in
The left-arm bowler was a traveling reserve for England at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup and has focused on the senior team
“It’s very exciting, including the future,” Baker says. ‘Just to have a little security. Even after the injury, having not played since August, it is a great certainty, very happy to sign that contract.
‘Very positive, completely fit again, bowling again, doing everything again, also working with the boys again, that’s nice, completely fit and ready to go. All systems go, green light.
‘It’s been a really big step up from school cricket, a lot of tired legs, T20 has been a huge step up because of the intensity of it and playing against big names which has been a bit of a challenge but one I’ve enjoyed .
“Most of the guys helped me a lot, they told me to keep doing what I was doing and that’s good enough. the biggest challenge is bowling against very good players like Joe Root and Dawid Malan.”
Baker, then 19, had just put pen to paper on a new contract to stay in Worcestershire until the end of the 2025 season.
He made a total of 47 appearances for his province after turning professional in 2021, two of which came earlier this year.
The talented star features in the video revealing his England ambitions, having previously featured in his country’s Under 19 squad.
“I want to try to raise the order and hit seven or eight,” he said. “Be a real all-rounder because if you want to get into the Test side or the Lions side, you also need to be able to hold a bat.
‘At some point I want to try to get there, and even further from there. The fact that Haynes and Tongue have been on the road with the Lions this winter and that things are going really well has made my apatite a little wet.’
Worcestershire said they were ‘heartbroken’ by the death of 20-year-old spinner Baker
Baker played in a second team match against Somerset and took three wickets on Wednesday
He then revealed the season’s ambitions for Worcestershire, who achieved promotion to Division One, saying: ‘I feel like we’ve got a really good squad and have recruited quite well. I think we will do well in any competition.
“We’ve talked about being willing to win every game, trying to win Division Two, the Blast and the 50 beyond, those are our goals for this year.”
Just hours before Baker’s death, Worcestershire’s X account (formerly Twitter) shared a compilation of the youngster’s efforts during Wednesday’s ongoing match against Somerset.
He had taken three wickets in Wednesday’s match, including that of current England star Jack Leach.
The statement read: ‘Worcestershire County Cricket Club is heartbroken to announce the untimely passing of Josh Baker, who was just 20 years old.
“During this extremely difficult time, the club is committed to supporting Josh’s family, friends and colleagues. We are united in our grief and determined to honor his memory in a manner befitting the remarkable person he was.
‘It was his lively spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met. His warmth, friendliness and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true asset to his family and a beloved member of our team.
“Plans to pay tribute to Josh will be made in consultation with his family and will remain private at this time. The club, along with Josh’s family, requests respect for privacy as we mourn this immense loss. No further comment will be made during this sensitive period.”
Meanwhile, Baker’s parents have said they are ‘heartbroken’ after their son’s death.
‘We are both broken. He accomplished many of his dreams before he turned 21,” they wrote on social media. ‘Take every opportunity to hug your parents and children.’
Baker’s parents Lisa and Paul took to Facebook to share their devastation and thanked friends and relatives for sharing their memories of their son
The heartbreaking comment was accompanied by a poignant photo of the couple embracing Josh on the borders of Worcestershire County Cricket Club.
They added: ‘We have taken great comfort from the many messages we have received so far – please continue to share and post your memories.’
It has emerged that Baker was diagnosed with diabetes at a very young age and a medical cause of death is under investigation.
His death is being investigated by the coroner and an inquest is expected to open next week.