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-field.
News of Baker’s death emerged on Thursday, with a friend finding him dead in his apartment after he didn’t show up for the start of play on the third day of his team’s match against Somerset.
He was playing in a second team game and took three wickets on Wednesday, including England star Jack Leach, hours before he passed and tributes began to flow in.
Baker played 47 times for Worcestershire after turning pro in 2021, including a match against Durham that year when he was 18, and came up against Stokes in the early days of his role as England captain.
Stokes smashed five sixes off Baker’s bowling in one over in the game when the spinner was just 18, but took the time to send him a text message of encouragement in the aftermath.
England captain Ben Stokes (pictured) sent a touching message to Josh Baker prior to the 20-year-old’s tragic death
News of Baker’s death emerged on Thursday after he was found dead in his apartment by a friend
His club, Worcestershire, said they were ‘heartbroken’ at the death of the 20-year-old spinner
‘You’ve got serious potential and I think you’ll go a long way,’ Stokes wrote. ‘Most important opinion is from the lads in your changing room, and they will have your back.’
Last year, A video of Stokes’ innings in the game was shared by cricket publication Wisden on X (formerly Twitter), and Baker replied to the post, which features some of Stokes’ shots off the then-teenager’s bowling.
‘A day to remember…’ Baker wrote, accompanied by a face with a peeking eye emoji. The post was Baker’s last before his death.
Baker was due back on the field in Bromsgrove on Thursday but the game has now come to an end, with Worcestershire’s first team not in action in the County Championship this week.
He had played twice for his side’s first team this season.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan led tributes to Baker on social media from the wider cricketing world.
‘This is so sad.. Thoughts with all his family & close friends,’ Vaughan wrote.
No further details have been shared about the circumstances of the youngster’s passing, with the club requesting privacy and respect for his family.
Baker took to social media to reference his game against Stokes in what was his last post on X
Worcestershire described Baker as having ‘vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met’
Worcestershire’s broke the news of the spinner’s passing in a statement referring to his death as ‘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 aged only 20 years old.
‘During this profoundly difficult time, the club is dedicated to supporting Josh’s family, friends, and colleagues. We are united in our grief and committed to honouring his memory in a manner befitting the remarkable person he was.
‘It was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met. His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved 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 the respect of privacy as we mourn this immense loss. Further comments will not be provided during this sensitive period.’
