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Worcestershire spinner Josh Baker has signed a new three-year contract.

Teenager Baker, who made his debut in 2021, still had a year left on his existing contract.

But the 19-year-old slow left-armer is now tied to the Pears until the end of the 2025 season.

"Josh has done very well," said Pears cricket steering group chair Paul Pridgeon. "It's not been a bed of roses for him. He's had to work very hard, and he's had the odd baptism of fire."

Pridgeon "He had the challenge of facing Ben Stokes at New Road last summer, but bounced back from it, and he has got a real strength of character.

"He's come through it all very well and proved he has got the makings of being a real high-quality left-arm spinner - and he can bat a bit as well.

"He came in the side and stayed in, which doesn't always happen with a youngster."

Baker has now recovered from a stress reaction to his lower back that forced him to miss the last two months of the 2022 season and is fully fit for the new campaign, which starts on 6 April for Worcestershire with a County Championship away game against Derbyshire.

"Having that security to kick on with my career is very encouraging," said Baker. "I can't wait to get going now. A lot of cricket is coming up.

"With the way cricket is going, with 'Bazball' and stuff like that, I feel like it will be a challenging time to bowl spin.

"But it's a challenge I'm relishing. If people come hard at you, there is more opportunity to take wickets."