Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson has revealed his players are “still trying to process” the tragic death of youngster Josh Baker, as they resume their season a week after his unexpected passing.
The 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 teammates.
The 20-year-old was found dead in his flat by a friend after he failed to turn up for kick-off on the third day of Worcestershire’s match against Somerset last week.
Richardson paid tribute to Baker when he spoke about the impact of the youngster’s death on the team ahead of the County Championship clash against Kent.
“The kids are still trying to process it,” he said. The Guardian. ‘Many of them had never experienced pain before. There is still shock and much sadness that will continue to rise to the surface as we reach different milestones along the way.
The 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 spoke about the impact of his death on the team.
Baker was found dead in his apartment on Thursday, May 2, and the players were “distraught” to have been unexpectedly tested.
‘It was incredibly difficult to be back in the week. As soon as you walked into the locker room and saw Josh’s locker, you 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 New Road balcony was always entertaining.
‘The boys were so grateful to have Paul and Lisa back for our first session. They have been great supporters of Josh and the club.
‘And the response from the cricket community, both domestically and internationally, shows how close it can be. The tributes that have poured in have been a great comfort to us and his family.
‘There are no expectations on any of the players and staff at the moment; Training has been optional, selection is optional, and if the guys weren’t ready, that was okay.
‘We have told them that it is okay to be nervous or scared about the feelings that may arise on the field. “We’ll all take it at our own pace and guys will react differently.”
The return of the Worcestershire players was made difficult by the arrival of drug testers at the scene.
The UK anti-doping agency apologized, but club officials were “angry and dismayed” and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) expressed its “shock”.
UKAD’s test visit was scheduled, but the club was not notified in advance, as is protocol.
Baker was playing in a second team match against Somerset and took three goals on Wednesday.
“He is 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 time to give the players space as they return to work at a desperately difficult time that has created headlines. news and shook our sport.”
It is understood the UKAD visit was unrelated to Baker’s death.
Baker had been midway through a second team match in his home county when he died, with the match abandoned and declared a draw after the news broke. An investigation is underway to establish the cause of his death.
The talented spinner started his cricketing journey at New Road where his talent was noticed early on.
He represented England at Under-19 level while also signing his first professional contract with Worcestershire County Cricket Club at the age of 17 in 2021.
From there, Baker continued to impress and signed a three-year deal with the club in 2022.
Baker is credited with playing a pivotal role in Worcestershire’s promotion from Division Two of the Championship, playing a pivotal role in both the red and white ball formats.
The left-handed bowler was England’s roaming reserve in the 2022 U-19 World Cup.
His parents, Paul and Lisa Baker, wrote on Facebook: “We are both devastated. He achieved many of his dreams before he turned 21.
‘Take advantage of every opportunity to hug your parents and children. We have felt very comforted by the many messages received so far; “Keep sharing and posting your memories, please.”