Thursday, August 26th, 2021

BAKER SHINES WITH THE BALL AS SECONDS COMPLETE NEW ROAD DERBY TRIUMPH

Worcestershire CCC spinner Josh Baker demonstrated more of his potential with a superb seven wicket haul in the 219 run win over Warwickshire in a Second Eleven Championship (SEC) match at New Road.

Baker produced a decisive spell of four wickets in the space of six overs during the afternoon session to break the back of the Warwickshire innings and complete his first five-for in SEC cricket.

The 18-year-old went onto return figures of 33-14-59-7 as Warwickshire, who reached 198-2 at one stage, were bowled out for 257 in 97 overs.

Baker had taken a hat-trick in the previous SEC match against Nottinghamshire at Lady Bay Sports Club in early July and signed a rookie contract for Worcestershire.

He then went onto make his LV=Insurance County Championship debut against Warwickshire and play every game in the Royal London Cup campaign and did not look out of place at senior level.

Worcestershire picked out 21 points from their third SEC win of the season.

It was an ideal work-out for many of the senior players with either bat or ball before the County Championship clash with Sussex at New Road beginning on Monday.

Warwickshire resumed on 81-1 but one of the overnight batsmen, Chris Woakes, retired not out on 10 to link up with Warwickshire for their Vitality Blast quarter-final at Canterbury on Friday evening.

Hamza Sheikh, 15, who began the day on 55 not out, again batted impressively in moving onto 73 but the introduction of Baker into the attack led to his downfall.

He went for a drive and only succeeded in giving Baker a return catch.

Matthew Lamb went to a fluent half-century off 76 balls with 11 boundaries as Warwickshire reached 172-2 from 64 overs at lunch.

But Baker brought about a collapse after play resumed.

Warwickshire captain Jacob Bethell (28) played forward to Baker and was bowled and then Ethan Brookes (3) suffered the same fate when he pushed tentatively at a fine delivery.

The new ball was taken at 229-4 after 82 overs but Baker continued had enjoyed another breakthrough when Lamb was also bowled for a fine 88.

He struck one six and 14 fours in his 139 ball knock.

Paceman Adam Finch came back into the attack and he accounted for Kai Smith (0) who shouldered arms and was bowled.

Baker completed his five-for when Michael Booth (7) went back and became the fourth of his victims to be clean bowled.

The former Malvern College pupil then had figures of 27.1-10-51-5.

The procession of wickets followed with Liam Norwell (7) and Manraj Johal (0) both lbw to Baker in the space of four balls.

Jake Libby, who hit a century yesterday, picked up the last wicket when Karl Carver was lbw for five.