sport news Grieving Worcestershire stars were 'forced to take drug tests on their first ... trends now

Grieving Worcestershire players were reportedly forced to take drug tests on their first day back at training on Tuesday after the death of their team-mate, Josh Baker. 

The cricketers complied but were distressed at the timing after Baker was found dead in his apartment on Thursday, May 2. 

The UK Anti-Doping agency apologised but club officials were 'angry and dismayed' and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has expressed their 'shock'.

UKAD's spot-testing visit was scheduled but the club was not notified in advance, as is protocol. 

'It’s at best insensitive and at worst incompetent,' PCA chief executive Rob Lynch told The Telegraph. 

'We were left shocked when we heard that Ukad anti-doping officials showed up at New Road on Tuesday, and have made this clear to them.

'As a player’s 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 is understood that UKAD's visit was unrelated to Baker's death.

'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,' a statement read. 

'We offer our condolences to all those who knew and loved Josh Baker.'

Baker, 20, was found dead in his apartment by a friend after he didn't turn up for the start of play on the third day of Worcestershire's match against Somerset last week. 

He was part-way through a second team match in his home county when he died, with the match abandoned and ruled a draw following the news.