- Baker and Stokes faced off with their counties in the 2021 season
- The England skipper contacted the then 18-year-old bowler after the match
- News of Baker’s death was revealed Thursday after a friend found him dead
England captain Ben Stokes sent Josh Baker a heartwarming message two years before the Worcestershire man’s tragic death at the age of 20 after they faced off on the pitch.
News of Baker’s death broke on Thursday when a friend found him dead in his apartment after failing to show up for the start of the match on the third day of his team’s match against Somerset.
He played in a second team match and took three wickets on Wednesday, including England star Jack Leach, hours before he died and tributes began to pour in.
Baker made 47 appearances for Worcestershire after turning professional in 2021, including a game against Durham that year when he was 18, and came into contact with Stokes in the early days of his role as England captain.
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.
England captain Ben Stokes (pictured) sent a moving message to Josh Baker ahead of the 20-year-old’s tragic death
News of Baker’s death emerged Thursday after he was found dead in his apartment by a friend
His club, Worcestershire, said they were ‘heartbroken’ by the 20-year-old spinner’s death
“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.
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.
Baker took to social media to reference his match against Stokes in what was his final post on X
Worcestershire described Baker as having a ‘lively spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met’
Worcestershire’s broke the news of the spinner’s death in a statement, calling his death “untimely” and asking 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.”