Baker commemorated around the grounds
Around the country, players wore black armbands in memory of the young Worcestershire spinning all-rounder Josh Baker, whose death was announced on Thursday.
His parents, Paul and Lisa, paid tribute to their son: “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.”
At New Road, where Baker had come through the ranks, the club opened a book of remembrance. His former Worcestershire coach Shaftab Khalid recalled, “not just a very talented cricketer but also an amazing and wonderful human being. He was such a nice, humble and sweet person. He was a Worcestershire boy so playing for his county and then the England Under‑19s, the dream was coming true.”
There was a minute’s silence in memory of Baker at Derby, among other grounds. Ollie Robinson grabbed two wickets after Sussex won the toss and chose to field under filthy skies. Derbyshire were 189 for eight when the rain fell, with 50 for Luis Reece and a giddy 44 for Aneurin Donald. At Old Trafford, Kent fought back after being reduced to 129 for six by Lancashire under the floodlights, with a third fifty of the season for Joey Evison, and a boundary heavy 41 for Zak Crawley, who brushed George Balderson (three for 62) for three successive fours.
In the battle of the brothers at a soggy Headingley, Glamorgan’s Billy Root stroked 51 against Yorkshire, but not before older brother Joe had dropped him at slip; and it was dismissals a-go-go at Taunton, where 20 wickets fell on an emerald pitch, all to seamers. Somerset bowled Essex out for 156 after winning the toss, with only Tom Westley making it past 25, Migael Pretorius finishing with four for 26. Sam Cook and Jamie Porter soon got their revenge, ripping through Somerset for 128, with five wickets each. There was time for Essex to face one over, with five slips, before stumps.
Play was washed out without a ball bowled between Middlesex and Leicestershire at Lord’s.
Twenty wickets fell on an eventful day at Taunton, while elsewhere the rain intervened. We’ll be back tomorrow – have a lovely Friday night!
