ASTWOOD Bank Cricket Club have honoured former player Josh Baker by officially renaming their home ground in his memory.
The club have renamed their Sambourne Lane home ground the ‘Josh Baker Oval’ in a permanent tribute to the 20-year-old.
Redditch-born Baker died suddenly in May last year.
He first joined Astwood Bank as a seven-year-old and quickly progressed through the club’s senior teams.
His talent earned him a contract with Worcestershire CCC where he took 70 wickets in 47 appearances for the Pears.
To mark the occasion of the ground renaming, a JB33 Foundation XI took on a Worcestershire XI in a T20 match at Astwood Bank.
Josh’s parents, Paul and Lisa, set-up the JB33 Foundation charity in his memory to support local cricket clubs.
Hundreds of people attended the event to pay their respects in a celebration of cricket.
After the first innings took place, Josh’s dad Paul delivered an emotional speech, celebrating his son’s life and achievements.
Josh’s dad Paul said: “A massive thanks to Astwood Bank Cricket Club for offering the chance to rename the ground in Josh’s memory.
“To have this lovely, picturesque, ground named in his memory is very touching.
“The love and support that me and Lisa have received has been overwhelming and we appreciate it more than anyone will ever know.”
Josh’s former captains at Astwood Bank, current chairman Matthew Cockbill and former chairman Mark Brind also delivered speeches reflecting on his time at the club.
Astwood Bank chairman, Cockbill added: “It’s a hugely meaningful event for the whole club.
“It seemed like a fitting and momentous act to make, given the amount of time that Josh, Lisa and Paul spent at the club throughout Josh’s playing career.
“He featured in every team we could possibly have, accelerating through the senior teams, onward into a phenomenal and special professional career.
“For us, Josh remains an inspiration to players of every age group at the club.
“Renaming the ground in his memory just makes our club that little bit more special than it already is.”
Paul and Lisa then unveiled a sign at the ground’s entrance which reads: ‘Astwood Bank Cricket Club welcomes you to the Josh Baker Oval’.
The second innings of the match followed as the JB33 Foundation XI successfully chased down a target of 247 with one over to spare.
Paul and Lisa also selected the players for the JB33 Foundation side which included some of Josh’s former teammates.
