Heartbreaking video shows Josh Baker taking three wickets for Worcestershire just hours 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, who made 47 appearances for his province after turning professional in 2021, was taking part in a second team match in his home country when he died, with the match abandoned and a draw decided after the news.
Just hours before his death, Worcestershire’s X account (formerly Twitter) shared a compilation of the youngster’s efforts during Wednesday’s match.
Footage has emerged of cricketer Josh Baker taking three wickets for Worcestershire just hours before his death
Cricketer Josh Baker (centre) was found dead in his apartment by a friend after he failed to show up for the match
Worcestershire said they were ‘heartbroken’ by the death of 20-year-old spinner Baker, who was found dead on Thursday
Baker was playing in a second team match against Somerset when he was found by a friend
Baker took three wickets with his orthodox left-arm bowling and dismissed Thomas Rew – the brother of England hopeful James – Josh Thomas and current England star Jack Leach.
He can be seen for the first time taking the wicket of wicketkeeper Rew at LBW, making an impassioned appeal before the umpire issues the decision as ‘out’.
Leach’s wicket then falls, with the Somerset man spooning a shot into the air and Baker taking the catch off his own bowling.
Thomas can then be seen similarly as Baker leans in to catch the catch.
Baker was due to return to the field in Bromsgrove on Thursday but the match has now come to an end with the Worcestershire first team not in action in the County Championship this week.
This season he played twice for his team’s first team.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan led tributes to Baker on social media from the wider cricket world.
“This is so sad.. Thoughts with all his family and close friends,” Vaughan wrote.
No further details have been shared about the circumstances surrounding the youngster’s death, with the club asking for privacy and respect for his family.
The spinner made 47 appearances for county Worcestershire after turning professional in 2021
The left-arm bowler was a traveling reserve for England at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup
Worcestershire said Baker had ‘a lively spirit and an infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met’
Former England captain Michael Vaughan paid tribute to Baker on social media
Worcestershire’s statement referred to Baker’s “untimely passing” and asked for his family’s privacy to be respected.
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.”
Baker has played twice this season for his team’s first team, which will not play a match this week
Worcestershire chief executive, former England spinner Ashley Giles, offered a personal message.
“The news of Josh’s passing has devastated us all. Josh was much more than a teammate; he was an integral part of our cricketing family. We will all miss him terribly. All our love and prayers go out to Josh’s family and friends,” Giles said.
Baker took a total of 43 wickets in 22 first-class appearances, the last coming less than a fortnight ago against Durham.
He also played 17 List A matches and eight T20s and was a traveling reserve for England at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup.
The England and Wales Cricket Board also extended their condolences to Baker’s family and friends.
“The ECB is desperately saddened by the passing of Josh Baker,” the statement said.
‘This is terrible news. Our best wishes to Josh’s family and friends, to all who knew and loved him, and to everyone at Worcestershire CCC.”