Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson has revealed that his players are ‘still trying to process’ the tragic death of young spinner Josh Baker, as they resume their season a week on from his unexpected passing.
Grieving players returned to training 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 team-mates.
The 20-year-old was found dead in his apartment by a friend after he didn’t turn up for the start of play on the third day of Worcestershire’s match against Somerset last week.
Richardson paid tribute to Baker as he opened up on the impact of the youngster’s death on the team ahead of their County Championship clash against Kent.
‘Guys are still trying to process it,’ he told The Guardian. ‘A lot of them have never experienced grief before. There is still shock and a lot of sadness that will keep coming to the surface as we hit different milestones along the way.
Grieving Worcestershire players returned to training on Tuesday following the death of team-mate Josh Baker, 20
Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson (left) paid tribute to the talented spinner and opened up on the impact of his death on the squad
Baker was found dead in his apartment on Thursday, May 2 and players were ‘distressed’ at being tested unexpectedly
‘It was incredibly tough being back in the week. As soon as you went into the dressing room and saw Josh’s locker, you just expected him to be there.
‘He was a really special person: talented, competitive, stubborn and very, very funny. Half an hour sitting with Josh on the balcony at New Road was always entertaining.
‘The lads were so appreciative of Paul and Lisa coming to our first session back. They have been huge supporters of Josh and the club.
‘And the response from the cricket community, both nationally and internationally, just shows how close it can be. The tributes that have come in have been a huge comfort for us and his family.
‘There’s no expectation on any of the players and staff right now; training has been optional, selection optional, and if guys weren’t ready that was fine.
‘We have told them it’s OK to be nervous or scared about what feelings might come on the field. We will all take it at our own pace and guys will react differently.’
Worcestershire players’ return was made more difficult by the arrival of drug testers to the site.
The UK Anti-Doping agency apologised but club officials were ‘angry and dismayed’ and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has expressed their ‘shock’.
UKAD’s spot-testing visit was scheduled but the club was not notified in advance, as is protocol.
Baker was playing in a second team game against Somerset, taking three wickers on Wednesday
‘It’s at best insensitive and at worst incompetent,’ 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 think to postpone this round of testing for a short while to allow the players space as they return to work at a desperately difficult time that has created headline news and rocked our sport.’
It is understood that UKAD’s visit was unrelated to Baker’s death.
Baker had been part-way through a second team match in his home county when he died, with the match abandoned and ruled a draw following the news. An inquest is underway to establish his cause of death.
The talented spinner started his cricket journey at New Road, where his talents were noticed early on.
He represented England at U-19 level, while simultaneously signing his first professional contract with the Worcestershire County Cricket Club aged 17 in 2021.
From there Baker continued to impress, signing a three-year deal with the club in 2022.
Baker is credited as playing an instrumental role in Worcestershire’s promotion from Championship Division Two, playing a pivotal role in both the red-ball and white-formats.
The left-arm bowler was a travelling reserve for England at the Under-19 World Cup in 2022
His parents, Paul and Lisa Baker, wrote on Facebook: ‘We are both broken. Achieved so many of his dreams before reaching 21.
‘Take every opportunity to hug your parents and children. We’ve taken great comfort from the many messages received so far – keep sharing and posting your memories please.’
