Cricket

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has bolstered its spin bowling department with the acquisition of Fateh Singh from Nottinghamshire on a three-year contract. The 20-year-old left-arm spinner impressed during a loan spell at New Road last summer, capturing 15 wickets in the One-Day Cup at an average of 24.13.Singh's performances in the One-Day Cup, including a career-best 4 for 52 against Somerset, earned him a first-class debut for Northamptonshire later in the season. A former England U19 international, Singh was part of the team that reached the final of the 2022 U19 ODI World Cup.Despite being contracted to Nottinghamshire until the end of 2025, the club agreed to facilitate Singh's move to Worcestershire to aid his development. The spinner had made only 12 appearances for Nottinghamshire, all in the One-Day Cup, and had been overtaken by 16-year-old off-spinner Farhan Ahmed.Worcestershire, who secured their Division One status with a sixth-place finish last season, will provide Singh with the opportunity to further his career. The club has a reputation for nurturing young talent, as evidenced by the success of Jake Libby, who has flourished since joining from Nottinghamshire.Singh expressed his delight at signing a long-term contract with Worcestershire, stating that he had a great experience with the club last summer. He is eager to continue his development and make an impact on the team.Worcestershire chief executive Ashley Giles hailed Singh's signing as a crucial step in building the squad. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the spin department, especially after the tragic passing of left-arm spinner Josh Baker at the start of the summer.The move reinforces Worcestershire's spin stocks, which were depleted by Baker's untimely demise. The club opted not to sign Amar Virdi, who had undertaken two loan spells at Worcestershire, following his release from Surrey.

Worcestershire Retires Number 33 Shirt in Memory of Josh BakerWorcestershire County Cricket Club has paid a poignant tribute to their beloved left-arm spinner Josh Baker by retiring the number 33 shirt in his honor. Baker, a talented and dedicated homegrown player, tragically passed away earlier this year at the age of 26 due to a sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.Baker's impact on Worcestershire was profound. In 22 first-class matches, he claimed 43 wickets, including a memorable 5-for against Sussex in 2021. He also made significant contributions in white-ball cricket, taking 27 wickets in 25 appearances.Beyond his on-field achievements, Baker was an exceptional individual who left an indelible mark on the club. His infectious enthusiasm, unwavering determination, and kind-hearted nature endeared him to teammates, staff, and fans alike."Josh was not only an outstanding cricketer but an exceptional individual," said Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles. "His passing has left an irreplaceable void at our club and in the hearts of all who knew him. Retiring the Number 33 shirt, for the first time in our club's history, ensures his memory and contributions are never forgotten. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations."As a testament to Baker's talent, he represented England at the under-19 level twice on their tour of Sri Lanka. His performances caught the attention of Ben Stokes, who sent him a motivational text message after striking him for 34 runs in an over shortly after being appointed England's Test captain in May 2022.In addition to retiring the number 33 shirt, Worcestershire will also display a framed Baker 33 shirt permanently in the Graeme Hick Pavilion. A metal bench with Josh's locker plaque will be installed at the training nets, serving as lasting memorials to his contributions to the club.Baker's parents, Paul and Lisa, have been awarded Life Memberships, ensuring they will forever be a part of the Worcestershire family. New Road will always remain a place of welcome and belonging for them.Josh Baker's legacy will live on through the memories of those who knew him and the impact he had on Worcestershire County Cricket Club. His number 33 shirt will serve as a constant reminder of his talent, dedication, and the profound void he has left behind.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has secured its highest position in the Vitality County Championship Division One since the division split in 2000, drawing with Lancashire at Visit Worcestershire New Road. The draw sealed Worcestershire's sixth-place finish, surpassing their previous best of seventh in 2011.Despite pre-season predictions of relegation, Worcestershire defied expectations with a run of three consecutive wins against Durham, Kent, and Essex. The team's resilience was evident in their ability to recover from precarious batting positions, as they did twice in this match.Matthew Waite, Adam Hose, and Logan Van Beek played crucial roles in Worcestershire's recovery. Waite led a counter-attack with a 37-run knock, while Hose provided solid support with 41 runs. Van Beek contributed 44 runs before being dismissed.Lancashire's relegation was confirmed on Saturday, but pace bowler Tom Bailey showed signs of a return to form with 11 wickets in his last two matches. West Indian paceman Anderson Phillip also impressed with nine wickets in this game.Worcestershire's success is a testament to their team spirit and determination. They have overcome challenges on and off the field, including the retirement of long-serving all-rounder Joe Leach.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has received a suspended two-point deduction for the upcoming Vitality Blast season after their all-rounder, Josh Cobb, was found to have used an illegally-sized bat during a match against Durham in July.Cobb admitted to breaching ECB Directives 3.2 and 3.3 after his bat failed a bat-gauge test during the match. The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) adjudicator initially imposed a straight points deduction, but this was amended on appeal to a suspended penalty, which will be imposed if Worcestershire commits a further breach of this nature.This is the second such penalty to be leveled in county cricket this summer, following the 12-point deduction that Essex received in the County Championship after Feroz Khushi breached the regulations during their opening fixture of the season.Worcestershire expressed dismay at the original verdict, arguing that the loss of two points could significantly impact their chances of reaching the Vitality Blast knockouts. The club's appeal highlighted the potential financial and sporting consequences of the penalty.In response, the adjudicator, Chris Tickle, reviewed his decision and imposed a suspended penalty instead. Interim Director of the Cricket Regulator, Dave Lewis, welcomed the collaboration between Worcestershire CCC, the CDC, and the Cricket Regulator in reaching this outcome.The Cricket Regulator emphasized the importance of educating participants and preventing future breaches of bat size regulations. The independent body enforces the rules for domestic professional cricket and investigates and prosecutes cases, while the CDC adjudicates on breaches and issues penalties.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club will honor the memory of their late left-arm spinner Josh Baker by wearing his No. 33 on their playing shirts for the remainder of the season. Baker, who had made two County Championship appearances this season, passed away suddenly on May 2 at the age of 20.Baker was a highly promising cricketer who had represented England at under-19 level. He signed his first contract with Worcestershire in 2022 and had already made a significant impact on the team. In 22 first-class matches, he took 43 wickets, while in 25 limited-overs appearances, he claimed 27 wickets.The day before his passing, Baker had taken 3 for 66 in the first innings of Worcestershire's four-day 2nd XI Championship match against Somerset. The match was called off early on the final day as a mark of respect.Players wore black armbands during the most recent round of the County Championship, which began on May 3. Worcestershire declined to comment on the nature of Baker's death, asking for "the respect of privacy" on behalf of his family.After consulting with the family, Baker's teammates have decided to honor his memory by wearing his squad number on the front of their shirts, under the club crest."It is clear from the outpouring of love we've seen, following last week's awful news, that Josh touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him," said Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles in a statement released on Wednesday."Wearing Josh's number on their shirts is a way for the team, and all involved with Worcestershire cricket, to pay tribute to his memory and keep his spirit alive on the field.""Josh's mum and dad, Lisa and Paul, have asked us to thank everyone for the hundreds of messages of love and support that they have received since Josh's passing.""As we all continue to navigate through this very difficult time, we encourage our members, supporters, and the cricketing community to join us in honoring Josh's memory and celebrate the life of a remarkable young man who will forever hold a special place in our hearts."Worcestershire will wear the commemorative shirts for the first time on Friday, when they play Kent at Canterbury in Division One.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club is facing an uncertain future at its historic New Road ground due to persistent flooding. The club has confirmed that it will explore a permanent move away from the venue in the coming months to ensure its long-term viability.New Road has been Worcestershire's home since 1899, but its location on a floodplain has made it vulnerable to flooding. The ground has been inundated seven times during the 2023-24 winter, forcing the club to relocate its first two County Championship matches to Kidderminster.In 2014, Worcestershire invested between £7 million and £8 million in flood-resistant measures, but these have proven insufficient to prevent further flooding. The club now faces the prospect of losing two months of its six-month season due to the ongoing issues.Chief executive Ashley Giles has warned that any further delays in hosting cricket at New Road would be "devastating" for the club. He has floated the idea of moving to a new home, stating that "we can't carry on like this."The club's board has now confirmed that it is actively exploring all options, including a move from New Road. The aim is to secure the long-term future of Worcestershire County Cricket Club and ensure its financial stability.The potential move away from New Road is a significant development for Worcestershire. The ground has been a cornerstone of the club's identity for over a century, but the increasing frequency and severity of flooding have made it unsustainable.The club will continue to host cricket at New Road for the remainder of the 2023 season, but further bad weather could affect its T20 Blast campaign. The club is also scheduled to host a women's ODI between England Women and New Zealand on June 30.The decision on whether to move from New Road will be a difficult one for Worcestershire, but it is clear that the club must take action to secure its future. The club's board will now work to explore all options and present a plan to its members and stakeholders in the coming months.

Duncan Fearnley, the former Worcestershire player and administrator who became a renowned bat manufacturer, passed away at the age of 83.Born in Pudsey, Fearnley began his cricketing journey in Yorkshire Seconds before moving to Worcestershire in 1960. As a left-handed batter, he made 97 appearances for the club over seven seasons, contributing 687 runs and four half-centuries. His most memorable achievement came in 1964 when Worcestershire won the County Championship.After leaving the club in 1968, Fearnley returned in 1972 as the Second XI captain. By this time, his Worcester-based bat manufacturing business was flourishing. His bats were highly sought after by some of the greatest players of the era, including Sunil Gavaskar, Ian Botham, Graham Gooch, and Allan Border.In 1986, Fearnley was appointed as Worcestershire's chair. During his tenure, the club experienced a golden era, winning two County Championship titles, two Sunday League titles, the Refuge Assurance Cup, the Benson and Hedges Cup, and the NatWest Trophy within a span of twelve years.Fearnley's contributions extended beyond his role as chair. He served as Club President from 2011 to 2013 and was later elected as an Honorary Vice-President. His passion for Worcestershire CCC was evident in all his endeavors."Duncan's passing is a tremendous loss," said Paul Pridgeon, Worcestershire's acting chair. "His contributions as a player, an administrator, and a passionate supporter of the club were immeasurable. He was the heart and soul of Worcestershire CCC, leaving an indelible mark on the club."Fearnley's legacy as a bat-maker and his unwavering love for Worcestershire will be forever remembered. The cricketing world has lost a true legend.