Josh Baker is looking to transfer the fine form he showed in the Metro Bank One Day Cup into red ball cricket when Worcestershire return to LV=Insurance County Championship action against Glamorgan at New Road on Sunday (10.30am start).
Baker was Worcestershire’s leading wicket-taker in the 50 over competition with 17 scalps, a figure only bettered by Warwickshire’s Oliver Hannon-Dalby in the group stages.
It was a welcome boost after a lengthy spell on the side-lines with a back injury and a challenging start to the season hampered by a lack of Seconds cricket due to the poor weather which meant he could not get overs under his belt.
Now the 20-year-old will be in contention to play during the next three matches as part of the bowling group.
Head Coach Alan Richardson said: “Josh should go into this last month of the season full of confidence. It was a frustrating first half of the season for Josh, just trying to get back into it.
“The weather played a huge part in him not getting as much cricket as he would have liked at the start of the year.
“He should take great heart from the way he has bowled in the One Day Cup.
“Whenever you have a major injury like Josh did, and are out for a period of time, it can take that time to get back into it as well.
“He came off the back of playing a lot of cricket over a period of time and then to suddenly not play for eight months, from August to April, that takes time.
“But watching him operate in the Metro Bank One Day Cup was really pleasing and it was a great experience for him.
“He is maturing the whole time and evolving as a cricketer.
“With each challenge that comes his way, he is having to deal with that, and certainly the one in the white ball, over the last month, he should be really proud of that.
“I think he really enjoyed his cricket. It has been a while coming but that is understandable. He worked incredibly hard to get over the injury but then getting back to be able to perform can take time.
“Through lack of opportunity, he didn’t get that chance much so it’s really nice that he got those stretch of games.”
