Worcestershire head coach pays tribute to ‘special’ Josh Baker and reveals his players are still trying to process the 20-year-old’s tragic death as they resume their County Championship campaign

Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson has revealed that his players are ‘still trying to come to terms with the tragic death of young spinner Josh Baker’ as they resume their season a week after his unexpected death.

Grieving players returned to practice for the first time on Tuesday, where they were joined by Baker’s parents, Paul and Lisa, who spent time with their late son’s friends and teammates.

The 20-year-old was found dead in his apartment by a friend after failing to show up for the start of day three of Worcestershire’s match against Somerset last week.

Richardson paid tribute to Baker as he spoke about the impact the youngster’s death had on the team ahead of their County Championship match against Kent.

“Guys are still trying to process it,” he said The guard. ‘Many of them have never experienced grief. There is still shock and much sadness that will continue to surface as we reach various milestones along the way.

Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson (left) paid tribute to the talented spinner and spoke about the impact of his death on the side

Baker was found dead in his apartment on Thursday, May 2, and players were left ‘saddened’ as they were tested unexpectedly

‘It was incredibly tough to be back this week. As soon as you entered the locker room and saw Josh’s locker, you just expected him to be there.

‘He was a very special person: talented, competitive, stubborn and very funny. Spending half an hour with Josh on the balcony at New Road was always entertaining.

‘The boys were so grateful that Paul and Lisa came back to our first session. They have been great supporters of Josh and the club.

‘And the reaction from the cricket community, both nationally and internationally, shows how close it can be. The tributes received are an enormous comfort to us and his family.

‘There are no expectations from the players and staff at the moment; training was optional, selection optional, and if the guys weren’t ready, that was fine.

“We told them it’s okay to be nervous or scared about the feelings that might happen on the field. We will all do it at our own pace and the boys will react differently.”

The return of players from Worcestershire was complicated by the arrival of drug testers at the venue.

Britain’s Anti-Doping Agency apologized but club officials were ‘angry and dismayed’ and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) expressed their ‘shock’.

UKAD’s test visit was planned, but the club was not informed in advance, as is protocol.

Baker played in a second team match against Somerset and took three wickets on Wednesday

“It is insensitive at best and incompetent at worst,” PCA chief executive Rob Lynch told The Telegraph.

He continued: ‘But we are very disappointed that common sense did not prevail on this occasion and Ukad did not consider postponing this round of testing for a short period of time to give the players space as they return to play. work at a desperately difficult time that made headlines and turned our sport upside down.’

It is understood that UKAD’s visit was not related to Baker’s death.

Baker was halfway through a second team match in his home country when he died, with the match being abandoned and a draw decided after the news. An investigation is underway to determine his cause of death.

The talented spinner started his cricketing journey at New Road where his talents were spotted early on.

He represented England at U-19 level, whilst simultaneously signing his first professional contract with Worcestershire County Cricket Club in 2021 at the age of 17.

From there, Baker continued to impress, signing a three-year contract with the club in 2022.

Baker is said to have been instrumental in Worcestershire’s promotion from Championship Division Two, playing a crucial role in both the red ball and white formats.

The left-arm bowler was a traveling reserve for England at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup

His parents, Paul and Lisa Baker, wrote on Facebook: “We are both heartbroken. He accomplished many of his dreams before he turned 21.

‘Take every opportunity to hug your parents and children. We have taken great comfort from the many messages we have received so far. Please continue to share and post your memories.”