Josh Baker says Worcestershire will adopt a positive approach to Thursday’s run chase after producing what he was felt his most satisfying performance in red-ball cricket.
Sussex will begin the final day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match at New Road, holding a lead of 250 with four second-innings wickets remaining.
Baker picked up a trio of wickets to back up Club Captain Joe Leach’s initial three-wicket burst, including return catches by Ollie Carter and Ali Orr as Sussex closed on 199-6.
The former Malvern College pupil said: “We spoke on Sunday about being positive and trying to win the group, so whatever the score, we will try and chase it down.
“There is a little bit of turn. The ball for the stumping (of Fynn Hudson-Prentice) turned, and I got one to turn past Dan Ibrahim.
“Hopefully, it turns a bit more in the morning. Archie Lenham, James Coles and Jack Carson look really threatening, so it will be difficult on Thursday, but hopefully, our batters can do the job
“I think that is my most satisfying performance in red-ball cricket. I didn’t go for many runs, and I picked up a few wickets, so it was really good.
“It was nice to get off the mark in terms of catches with the first wicket (a return catch). I don’t think I had taken a previous catch in first class cricket.
“It was nice to follow that up and get two quite quickly together.
“With the third wicket, Ben Cox said to me, ‘just back your fields and, if they come at you, try and fire it down or go a bit shorter and that’s what I did.”
Baker added: “I’m trying to vary my pace and trying to change it up so the batsmen can’t really get hold of me.
“I’m quite young, so I haven’t really experienced that in Academy cricket (batsmen trying to intimidate you), so I’m just trying to stay calm under pressure and thinking about what I’ve done to get myself here
“That has stood me in good stead. I feel a lot more comfortable with the lads as well. They have been really welcoming, and playing List A cricket as well has really helped me.
