"The coaches wanted me to be positive so I went out and tried to biff it”: Josh Baker's rise to first-class cricket

The Cricketer speaks to Worcestershire's Josh Baker as he makes the transition from schools cricket to the professional game

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It’s been a whirlwind few months for Josh Baker. Having only left school last summer he is making a name for himself on the professional stage, taking wickets and smashing runs for Worcestershire. 

As any player will testify, it is a tough step up from the schools game to the county arena, but Baker’s time at Malvern College equipped him well to make these leaps. 

“I still remember my first game for the Malvern 1st XI,” Baker tells The Cricketer. “It was a Sunday game against Wellington and I was in Year 10. Like in any changing room, I was a bit nervous to start off with but then the lads get around you and being the young one they were nice to me. It was a good atmosphere to be in.” 

Baker recalls taking four wickets in that first match, and since then has not looked back. He went on to represent the Malvern 1st XI for four years alongside turning out for Worcestershire age groups. 

The Pears could consider Malvern as their La Masia academy, such is the constant quality of cricketer that emerges from this institution under the tutelage of Mark Hardinges and Noel Brett. 

^{Baker and his Malvern College team}

Another player to have come off this production line is Jack Haynes. 

“Jack was my 1st XI captain in my first year in the team. He was unreal, he scored 1,000 runs and his cricket knowledge really helped me develop. 

“When I first walked into the Worcestershire changing room I knew a couple of the lads but Jack was really welcoming.” 

Haynes spoke to The Cricketer about 18 months ago, and he and Baker were equally praising of Malvern’s approach to the game. 

“Hardinges and Brett were quite relaxed about things, they weren’t forcing you to train six times a week, it was very much ‘come in when you can’, but when you did the training was intense. 

“They encouraged you to do other things too so you could enjoy and make the most of your time at school. I also played 1st XI hockey and was golf captain.” 

But cricket was always the dream for Baker and having impressed in academy and county 2nd XI cricket he soon received the call he had always hoped for. 

“I got a call initially telling me I would be on a three-month deal to play in the Royal London Cup, but that soon turned into a 16-month contract. It was pretty special, when I told my parents they both started crying. All the driving, all the equipment they’ve bought, all the support, it meant a lot to them.” 

But Baker still had school cricket to focus on, most pressingly the National Schools T20 final against King’s College, Taunton. Having helped secure victory for his school, Baker broke the news to his coaches that he would be playing cricket for a living for Worcestershire. 

^{Baker is sponsored by English batmakers Woodstock}

“They were both really pleased,” Baker fondly reflects. Fast-forward to September 2021 and Baker, a bowler by trade, is smashing Middlesex to all parts of Lord’s with a Woodstock in hand. 

“It was special to get my maiden first-class half century at Lord’s. I got to about 40, and hadn’t been in that situation before so got a bit nervous but the coaches wanted me to be positive so I went out and tried to biff it.” 

And biff it he did. Baker ended on 61 not out off 51 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and one six. 

“I was middling everything, it absolutely flew off the middle. I was really happy with the bat.” 

Baker has been using a Woodstock long before he turned professional but signed sponsorship terms just after his Worcestershire contract. 

“Johnno Gordon [Woodstock managing director] messages me quite frequently to see if there is anything I need. If I need any kit he’s straight on it, the service is rapid. For a bat, to my specs, he’ll get it turned around in a week and equipment will only be a couple of days.” 

Despite being a hugely promising cricketer with so much ahead of him, Baker is grateful for the support he has been given, both recently from Woodstock, and from Malvern. 

“That I could go have a net with a coach anytime was great. It was a really good environment to play in with some of my best mates for life. 

“I’d say to school cricketers to simply enjoy their cricket and their time at school. Try and learn as much as possible and focus on doing what you do best. If that’s good enough the coaches will see and they will help you along the way.”

For more information about sponsorship, or to arrange a Woodstock Cricket visit to your school, visit www.woodstockcricket.co.uk