Worcestershire's Josh Baker signs one-year contract extension

The 18-year-old spin bowler took 19 wickets across the County Championship and Royal London Cup for the club in 2021

Josh Baker has signed a one-year contract extension with Worcestershire which will keep him at New Road until at least the end of the 2023 season.

The 18-year-old spinner signed a rookie contract in early July which automatically became a professional contract following his fifth County Championship appearance. An extra 12 months have now been added.

Baker made five appearances for Worcestershire in the 2021 County Championship, taking 12 wickets at an average of 34 and posting a high-score of 61 not out with the bat against Middlesex. He made a further seven appearances in the Royal London Cup, taking seven wickets.

The teenager, who is part of the England Under-19 winter training squad, is the latest bowler to commit his future to Worcestershire following new contracts for Adam Finch, Charlie Morris, Dillon Pennington and Mitchell Stanley.

^{Fellow bowlers Charlie Morris (left) and Dillon Pennington (right) have also committed their futures to Worcestershire in recent weeks}

Commenting on his contract extension, Baker said: "I am over the moon. To get enough points [20] to progress from a rookie to a full professional contract was pretty good. It is really nice to stay at Worcestershire for longer. It is a great club for my development, and they have shown a lot of faith in me.

"I want to repay that faith, and I am just looking forward to improving, putting in performances, gaining more experience and trying to win some games for Worcestershire.

"The bowling group is quite close; we all get on, so it is terrific to see all the other lads signing new contracts as well. Having a group that has been together for quite a while as well, we can only go from strength to strength."

Bowling coach, Alan Richardson, added: "I am delighted Josh has extended his contract, and he has quite a meteoric rise over the last couple of months.

"He is a young spinner who is an exciting talent and has shown already he has got a real chance of being a very successful cricketer."