Josh Baker death: Worcestershire have lost “brilliant guy and fantastic cricketer”, says former coach

Worcestershire have misplaced “an excellent man and a incredible cricketer” with the demise of Josh Baker, says his former coach Shaftab Khalid.

West Mercia Police will not be investigating the demise of the 20-year-old spinner on Thursday having deemed there aren’t any suspicious circumstances.

Khalid labored with the left-armer as he got here via the youth ranks with Worcestershire.

England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and England girls’s coach Jon Lewis supplied their condolences on Friday.

The senior coroner for Worcestershire has confirmed that he has acquired a referral reporting Baker’s demise.

“At this second no additional info is offered till additional investigations have taken place,” he added.

Baker’s demise was introduced only a day after he took three wickets in a county second XI fixture towards Somerset on Wednesday.

“It was devastating, having labored with him since he was 16,” Khalid informed BBC Sport.

“Worcestershire misplaced not only a very gifted cricketer but additionally an incredible and great human being. He was such a pleasant, humble and candy particular person.”

Born in Redditch, Baker made his first-class debut in 2021 and represented England Underneath-19s earlier than signing a three-year contract along with his dwelling county final yr.

He performed 47 video games in all codecs, taking 70 wickets, together with two County Championship appearances this season, the final towards Durham in April.

Khalid, a former Worcestershire off-spinner, added: “He was very younger when he obtained his skilled contract however was making an attempt to assist his mates, to information them – in a approach like a giant brother – to assist them get an expert contract.

“Being such a younger child, he was the guts and soul of the dressing room. He obtained alongside very properly with all of the coaches. He was a Worcestershire boy so taking part in for his county after which the England Underneath-19s, the dream was coming true.

“He was an all-format cricketer and had a large future, however sadly you by no means know what is going on to occur in life. It is a huge lesson for everybody. He will probably be really missed.”

The membership has invited anybody who needs to recollect Baker to go to its New Highway floor as we speak and signal a e-book of condolence.

Lewis’ assistant coach Alex Gidman was Worcestershire head coach when Baker earned his first professional contract.

“It is actually stunning,” stated Lewis. “I spoke to Alex and he was fairly reduce up about it.

“Cricket is an extremely small world and it is actually unhappy. It will likely be a giant battle for Josh’s household, but additionally for the gamers at Worcestershire and all of the workers there and we want all of them the most effective.”

Buttler added on Instagram: “Extremely unhappy information, ideas and prayers with all Josh’s household, mates and all at Worcs.”