'This one's for him' - Worcs dedicate cup to Baker

Jake Libby stepped in as captain days before the final after an injury to Brett D'Oliveira

Worcestershire Rapids captain Jake Libby dedicated his side's One-Day Cup triumph in an emotional tribute to their former team-mate Josh Baker.

Libby stepped in as skipper after Brett D'Oliveira was injured just days before the final and led the Rapids to a thrilling three-wicket win over Hampshire with two balls to spare at Trent Bridge.

Throughout the tournament, the Rapids have worn shirts promoting the JB33 Foundation, set up in memory of the 20-year-old spinner who died suddenly in May 2024.

"He meant so much to us as a group," Libby told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester. "We gave his mum and dad a big hug, they've been fantastic over the last couple of years.

"We've worn him on the front of our shirt and he's very much at the forefront of our thoughts all the time, and this one's for him."

Worcestershire all-rounder Ethan Brookes hit a match-winning 57 off 34-balls to turn a game which looked to be slipping away.

"It means the world," said Brookes. "I know he'll [Baker] be looking down at us with a big smile on his face. It's very emotional.

"We bowled first and knew what the surface was doing, and luckily bat went on ball and cleared the ropes a few times."

Ethan Brookes' match-winning knock was his second half-century in the competition this season

'He can change games of cricket'

Tight bowling from the Hampshire attack, led by Scott Currie (5-34), and a disciplined display in the field looked to be sending the cup to the south coast.

But Brookes hit four sixes and five fours to turn the game before Matt Waite's five-ball cameo of 16 took them across the line.

"We've seen it the majority of the time he's been with us in white-ball cricket and red-ball cricket that he can change games, he can win us games," said Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson.

"He's one of those batters that we're all on the balcony waiting for him to do something. It was an awesome effort."

Libby added: "It was so special by Ethan and even Waitey to come out and finish off the way he did, and Henry [Cullen] as well. They've been so good all tournament."

The late heroics earned Worcestershire a first taste of silverware since winning the T20 Blast seven years ago, and a first knockout trophy in the longer one-day format since lifting the NatWest Trophy in 1994.

"It's been a tough season for everyone with the schedule the way it is," Richardson said.

"We haven't played a 50-over game for about three weeks, so we didn't quite know what to do at the start, but it's real reward for all of the hard work that they've put in."