Emotional Day at Canterbury as Worcestershire Pay Tribute to Josh Baker
Yesterday was a poignant day in the County Championship, as Worcestershire took the field against Kent for the first time since the tragic passing of their young spinning all-rounder, Josh Baker.
Prior to the start of play, the Worcestershire and Kent players lined up on the boundary edge for a minute’s applause in memory of the 20-year-old. It was an emotional moment on a beautiful day at Canterbury, where the ice-cream van was happily serving up cones to the spectators.
Worcestershire’s Gareth Roderick continued his fine form, completing back-to-back centuries. As he reached his milestone, Roderick gently tapped the embroidered “33” (Baker’s number) on his shirt with his bat, paying a touching tribute to his late teammate. Kashif Ali also made a valuable contribution of 72 as Worcestershire ended the day on 308-5.
Elsewhere, Lancashire’s Keaton Jennings was left ruing a missed opportunity, falling agonizingly short of a century when he top-edged to slip on 91 against Nottinghamshire. However, Tom Bruce provided some cheer for the visitors with a well-made half-century.
At the Rosebowl, Ali Orr made his first century for new county Hampshire, compiling a steady 126 before being dismissed by Peter Siddle. For Durham, Callum Parkinson took three wickets and Tom Prest scored a breezy 65.
In the other matches:
- Surrey’s Jordan Clark kept Warwickshire in check with four wickets, while Ed Barnard’s unbeaten 96 helped the visitors recover.
- Glamorgan’s bowlers James Harris and Mir Hamza shone as they bowled out Division Two leaders Sussex.
- Gloucestershire’s Miles Hammond scored a timely century against Northamptonshire.
“It was an emotional moment on a beautiful day at Canterbury, where the ice-cream van was happily serving up cones to the spectators.”
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