Ben Wells, the promising talent from Gloucestershire, disclosed that he is compelled to retire from cricket at the young age of 23 due to a severe heart condition that worsens with intense physical activity. At such a youthful age, the versatile wicketkeeper-batsman has had to bid farewell to cricket, a game he has been involved in since childhood.
In his comprehensive open letter, he disclosed that during a routine examination two weeks ago, he was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, requiring him to undergo implantation of a defibrillator in the upcoming weeks.
Ben Wells is set to retire from cricket at just the age of 23 due to a heart condition
The timely diagnosis has fortunately preserved his life as he embarks on one of the most challenging journeys ahead. Reflecting on his cricketing journey, he recalled how he didn’t secure a contract until he was 21 years old, and now, at the outset of his career, he has had to bid farewell to it. He expressed:
“It’s been a journey full of ups and downs, from not gaining a contract at 18, to being offered the chance with Gloucestershire at 21, dealing with a number of major injuries, and ending my career with my first and only professional hundred on a torn hamstring in what is now my final innings; but I will always look back on everything with fond memories.”
He also discussed how cricket has been a significant aspect of his life since his early years, and accepting the reality has been challenging for him. He elaborated:
“Cricket has been a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s been all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
”From playing in the garden as a child with my brother, every break time at school, going to Bath Cricket Club summer camps, playing throughout age group sides, Exeter University, and throughout my time at Gloucestershire, playing cricket has always been my dream and driven everything I’ve done.”
“I could never have imagined that this is the path that cricket would have taken me down. I’ve loved every moment and am very grateful to have had the chance to live out a part of this dream, even if it was only for a few years.”
He entered the cricketing scene in 2021 and has participated in 1 first-class match, 15 List A games, and 9 T20 matches over the course of his three-year domestic career. He even achieved his maiden century against Durham before his diagnosis.
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