Father’s tribute to son ahead of Worcestershire cup win

The father of a cricketer who died last year has thanked Worcestershire County Cricket Club for putting his son’s name “front and centre” during their One-Day Cup win at the weekend.

The Worcestershire shirts showed the name of the JB33 Foundation, which was set up in memory of 20-year-old Josh Baker.

The foundation aims to support local cricket clubs across Worcestershire, while also making sure safety measures, such as life-saving defibrillators, are in place.

In a video message recorded before the final, Paul Baker said: “You’d be so proud of the support we’ve had from your friends and colleagues at Worcestershire.”

His son, a spin bowler from Redditch, was 20 years old when he died in May 2024, less than two years after making his first class debut for the county.

Mr Baker said: “From the moment you were taken from us we vowed to continue your legacy.”

In his video message, released on social media, he said: “Over the past 16 months since you left us, we’ve been overwhelmed with the love and support we’ve received.”

He thanked the club sponsors, Attivo, for letting the club print the foundation’s name on their shirts as a one-off for the cup final, and said the team had been “desperate” to win it for Josh.

Mr Baker added: “Not a week goes by without one of your mates checking in with mum or I and we will be forever thankful for that.”

Following their three-wicket win over Hampshire in the final, Worcestershire Rapids captain Jake Libby dedicated it to the memory of their former team-mate.

“He meant so much to us as a group,” Libby told BBC Hereford & Worcester. “We gave his mum and dad a big hug, they’ve been fantastic over the last couple of years.

“We’ve worn him on the front of our shirt and he’s very much at the forefront of our thoughts all the time, and this one’s for him.”

Joe Tromans, chief revenue officer at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, said: “Josh was loved at New Road, by backing the JB33 Foundation we’re turning our grief into action for the next generation.

“Seeing the foundation on the front of our players’ shirts as we lifted the Metro Bank One Day Cup made that commitment powerfully real.”

Mr Baker said he knew the game would be an emotional one for his family: “Every game of cricket we watch is painful and hurts as we still expect to see you on that pitch.”

“You were my hero the day you were born and you will be my hero until the day I die, love you son,” he said.