A Final for the Ages

The victory was an emotional one for Worcestershire following the death of 20-year-old spinner Josh Baker in May 2024, with the players wearing shirts bearing his name and dedicating their success to him. What unfolded at Trent Bridge against Hampshire was a rain-affected thriller that tested every nerve, pushed every boundary of belief, and ultimately delivered the most poetic of endings.

With the Rapids requiring just four runs from the final three balls, the tension was palpable. The stage was set for heroics, but nobody could have scripted what happened next. Henry Cullen – Josh Baker’s best friend and a young man carrying the weight of emotion and expectation – stepped up to the crease for what would become the defining moment of the match.

More Than Just Cricket

An exhilarating finish from another youngster, Henry Cullen, was made possible by the jaw dropping 34 ball 57 from Brookes, who came to the middle with his side firmly up against it in yesterday’s final, but once again displayed his cool and calm nature under pressure to put his team in a winning position.
This victory represents so much more than silverware. It symbolises resilience, unity, and the power of playing for something greater than oneself. Throughout this campaign, the Rapids have carried Josh’s memory with them, transforming grief into motivation, loss into inspiration.
For Attivo, being part of this journey in our very first year as principal partners has been profoundly moving. To witness a team achieve the extraordinary while honouring their fallen teammate speaks to values we hold dear – loyalty, determination, and the importance of supporting one another through life’s challenges.

With the Rapids requiring just four runs from the final three balls, the tension was palpable. The stage was set for heroics, but nobody could have scripted what happened next. Henry Cullen – Josh Baker’s best friend and a young man carrying the weight of emotion and expectation – stepped up to the crease for what would become the defining moment of the match.

The Moment That Changed Everything

A hook shot down to fine leg looked to have found its way straight down the throat of Kyle Abbott, but the fielder fumbled the catch and fell back onto the boundary rope – sending Worcestershire players and fans alike into raptures as the Rapids were confirmed as 2025 Metro Bank One Day Cup champions.
The ball, struck with hope rather than certainty, soared towards the boundary. For a heart-stopping moment, it appeared destined for Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott’s hands – a catch that would have dashed Rapids’ dreams. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. The ball slipped from Abbott’s grasp as he tumbled back over the rope, handing the Rapids the trophy in the most dramatic of circumstances.