The devastated parents of rising young cricket star Josh Baker say they are ‘heartbroken’ by his tragic death at the age of 20.
Paul and Lisa Baker said Josh, a spin bowler for Worcestershire, had achieved many of his dreams before reaching his 21st birthday, which was just two weeks away.
Josh was found dead in his flat in Worcester yesterday morning after failing to show up for a match he was playing in.
His death is being investigated by the coroner and an inquest is expected to open next week.
It is revealed that Josh was diagnosed with diabetes at a very young age and is currently under investigation to determine a medical cause of death.
Josh Baker’s parents, Lisa and Paul, took to Facebook to share their devastation and thank friends and family members for sharing their memories of their son
The spinner’s death was announced yesterday, sending the cricket world into mourning
His shocked parents from Redditch said on social media: ‘We are both heartbroken. He accomplished many of his dreams before he turned 21.
‘Take every opportunity to hug your parents and children.’
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.’
Hundreds of tributes have been received from friends and the cricket community around the world, describing Josh as an ‘inspirational’ and ‘genuine’ young sportsman.
He honed his talents at Kenilworth Wardens Sports Club and at Malvern College, where he also excelled at hockey.
Kim Tutcher, Josh’s former caretaker assistant, posted a touching tribute, saying: ‘I can still see you returning to Malvern; cricket bag or golf bag on your back (or even both), mom follows with hangers full of impeccably ironed shirts, dad carries the important bags full of gear, snacks and goodies and treats and you cuddle with your all-important pillow.
‘I was so proud of the way you embraced your diabetes, I never heard of you feeling sorry for yourself or letting it hold you back, you organized your medications and told me what to order, it made my job so easy.
“We all celebrated your signing with Worcestershire, one day a schoolboy and the next a budding professional.
‘Dreams come true, hard work pays off, the love and support of family and friends is so important and incalculable.
‘There is still a big hole in our lives, but it will be filled with wonderful memories of a talented and cheerful sportsman, who was cruelly kidnapped far too soon. Night, night Josh and thank you x
Josh’s death is being investigated by Senior Worcestershire Coroner David Reid.
A spokeswoman said: ‘We can confirm that the Senior Coroner has received a referral reporting the sad death of Joshua Baker.
‘There will be no further information until further investigations have taken place.’
Baker took three wickets against Somerset at Bromsgrove on Wednesday, with the match abandoned as a draw yesterday and previously featured in two Vitality County Championship matches last month.
Just hours before his death, Worcestershire’s X account shared a compilation of the youngster’s efforts during Wednesday’s session.
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.”
Worcestershire chief executive, former England spinner Ashley Giles, offered a personal message.
Worcestershire confirmed Baker’s death on social media after he played for the second team on Wednesday
The ECB said it is ‘deeply sad to learn of Baker’s death’
“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.
Ben Stokes had previously sent a message to Baker after the two played against each other
‘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.”
Daryl Mitchell, chief operating officer at the Professional Cricketers’ Association and once Baker’s teammate at Worcestershire, wrote: ‘Bakes was an infectious character who became the life and soul of the dressing room at such a young age. Thoughts with the family and everyone at WCCC.”
Pakistan spinner Usama Mir, another former New Road colleague of Baker, added: “So sad and angry to hear the news of Josh’s passing. He was one of the nicest people you could meet. And a brilliant cricketer. Really devastated to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers with his family.”
PCA chief executive Rob Lynch said the news was ‘impossible to comprehend’, while ECB men’s cricket director Rob Key tweeted: ‘This is absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts go out to Josh’s entire family.”
England captain Ben Stokes sent Baker a heartwarming message after they faced off on the pitch two years ago.
Stokes hit five sixes off Baker’s bowling in one over in the match when the spinner was still just 18, but took time to send him a message of encouragement in the aftermath.
“You have serious potential and I think you will go a long way,” Stokes wrote. “The most important opinion comes from the guys in your locker room, and they will have your back.”
Last year, a video of Stokes’ innings in the match was shared by cricket publication Wisden on
“A day to remember…” Baker wrote, accompanied by a face with a peeking eyes emoji. The post was Baker’s last before his death.