Josh Baker’s impressive form in the Metro Bank One Day Cup produced the second highest number of wickets in a season by a Worcestershire Rapids bowler since the tournament began nearly a decade ago.
The left arm spinner ended the 2023 campaign with 17 wickets in the 50 over tournament and only Warwickshire’s Oliver Hannon-Dalby (24) has more scalps than the 20-year-old.
Baker’s tally included three-fors against Durham (3-53), Derbyshire (3-29) and Sussex Sharks (3-35) and an economy rate of just 5.33 runs per over.
He formed a formidable spin partnership with Brett D’Oliveira during the early part of the competition before Worcestershire’s Club Captain suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Baker’s wicket haul for 2023 has only been surpassed once by a Rapids player since the 50 over competition was launched in 2014 as a replacement for the ECB Pro40 League.
Wayne Parnell picked up 22 wickets during the 2019 season.
Baker will now be looking to transfer his impressive white ball form into the LV=Insurance County Championship when Worcestershire return to action against Glamorgan at New Road on Sunday.
Most One Day cup wickets in a season by Worcestershire bowlers
2014 – Mitchell McClenaghan – 10
2015 – Ed Barnard – 12
2016 – Ed Barnard, Joe Leach – 9 each
2017 – Joe Leach – 12
2018 – Ed Barnard – 16
2019 – Wayne Parnell – 22
2020 – no tournament
2021 – Josh Baker, Ed Barnard – 10 each
2022 – Dillon Pennington – 10
2023 – Josh Baker – 17
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