Worcestershire County Cricket to get 'Blue for Bakes' weekend underway in memory of 'much-loved' player
Worcestershire County Cricket Club are hosting a series of events dedicated to remembering 20-year-old former player Josh Baker who passed away two years ago
The whole of Worcestershire County Cricket Club is set to come together over the next few days to hold a series of events to remember one of its former players.
20-year-old Josh Baker passed away suddenly two years ago in May 2024, just two weeks before his 21st birthday.
The left-arm spinner made his first-class debut for Worcestershire in the County Championship in July 2021 before going on to make his his first Twenty20 appearance the year later and signing a three-year deal with them in March 2023.
Following his death, the club retired the number 33 in his memory and held the first 'Blue for Bakes' event last year, with them now doing it for a second time across the full weekend.
It gets underway today (31 July) with the men's team in Metro Bank One Day Cup action, before club cricket sides are encouraged to host their own events tomorrow.
All of it then comes to a close on Sunday when the women's side face Kent at Astwood Bank Cricket Club, which had the ground renamed the Josh Baker Oval last year.
Captain of Worcestershire Rapids men's One-Day Cup side, Jake Libby, said it means a lot to all the players and to everyone who knew Josh to remember him through this.
"It's such a special day for the club and for the families and friends for everyone involved just to remember how special Josh was," he said.
"He was just a big personality in the changing room, a guy of his age to be the centre of all of the jokes and humour, he was just a really popular figure and also a very highly talented cricketer.
"We know what a special guy he was but more importantly what a special bloke he was and how much he meant to all of us."
Spectators are being encouraged at both games to wear blue to get involved with the 'Blue for Bakes' theme.
Alongside this, the occasion is also going to raise funds for the JB33 Foundation, which was started by Josh's mum and dad Paul and Lisa Baker in his name.
The charity works to support local cricket clubs in the area which includes helping them with important safety equipment such as life-saving defibrillators.
"They’ve done loads since it's been set up in the wake of Josh’s passing and a lot of stuff in the community," said Joe Tromans, the club's chief revenue officer.
"Defibrillators have gone in across many clubs and they're looking to kind of build on that and making sure that it's a real lasting legacy and memory of Josh."
On the the importance of the 'Blue for Bakes' weekend taking place, he added: "It just means a lot to everyone that we've got this kind of one focused day or weekend every year just to sit back and remember him."Â
A mural for fans and visitors to collaborate on is also set to be on display today and at Sunday's game before being housed permanently at the Josh Baker Oval.