Worcestershire fury at drugs tests days after Baker’s death
The Professional Cricketers’ Association has expressed dismay that anti-doping authorities pressed ahead with drugs testing at Worcestershire this week, on the players’ first day back training after the “devastating” death of Josh Baker.
Last Thursday, Worcestershire announced the death of Baker, the 20-year-old left-arm spinner. Baker had been playing for the second XI against Somerset, and picked up three wickets the day before his death, the cause of which is not yet known, with an inquest under way.
By chance, Worcestershire did not have a round of County Championship action last weekend, but the second team’s fixture earlier this week was cancelled. Grieving first-team players returned to training at New Road – which is in use again after flooding – on Tuesday and are back in action against Kent at Canterbury today.
On Tuesday, the players were visited by Baker’s parents, Paul and Lisa. They were also subject to a round of spot-testing that was scheduled but, as is protocol, had not been made known to Worcestershire. Players cooperated but were understood to have been distressed by the timing.
It is understood that the PCA raised the issue on behalf of the players with UK Anti-doping, which privately apologised, vowing to consider carefully when testing would take place at the club for the remainder of the season. Officials at both the club and players’ union have been angered and dismayed.
“We were left shocked when we heard that Ukad officials showed up at New Road on Tuesday, and have made this clear to them,” Rob Lynch, the PCA chief executive said. “As a players’ association, we are obviously totally on board with the need to test and ensure the game remains clean. But we are very disappointed that common sense did not prevail on this occasion and Ukad did not think to postpone this round of testing for a short while to allow the players space as they return to work at a desperately difficult time that has created headline news and rocked our sport. It’s at best insensitive and at worst incompetent.”
Ukad said in a statement: “Ukad does not usually confirm where and when testing has taken place but in this unusual and sad circumstance we want to. Any concern caused by the tests’ timing was entirely unintentional. We offer our condolences to all those who knew and loved Josh Baker.”
It is understood Ukad’s visit had no connection to Baker’s death.
A book of condolences has been open at New Road this week, and players will wear Baker’s squad number – 33 – below the club crest for the remainder of the season, starting at Canterbury today.
Head coach Alan Richardson said that the players had stuck together through the “sad and devastating time”. “It’s been incredibly challenging,” he said. “One of the group’s strengths is that they look out for each other and look after each other. They’ve really had to do that over the last week. They have done that incredibly well, I am very proud of them. For the guys it’s trying to think of ways forward. Josh will always be in our thoughts but it’s now about trying to make him proud of our efforts, and trying to push forward as much as we can.”