Gloucestershire’s promising young cricketer, Ben Wells, has announced his retirement from the sport at the tender age of 23 due to a “rare” heart condition, sending shockwaves through the cricketing community.
Wells, who made his debut in September 2021 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the top players in the county championship, bid farewell to the sport after being diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) during a routine pre-season test.
In his final professional innings, Wells displayed his talent by scoring an unbeaten 108 against Durham in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, leaving a lasting impression on the cricketing world. However, the diagnosis of his condition prompted Wells to make the difficult decision to retire, acknowledging that it likely saved his life.
“This is something that I never thought I would have to write,” Wells expressed in an emotional open letter. “As tough as it is, this diagnosis has likely saved my life, and in time I hope that I can see it in that light. I’m very thankful to the doctors who have picked this up as soon as they could have.”
Reflecting on his cricket career, Wells shared his gratitude for the opportunity to live out his dream of being a professional cricketer, albeit for a short duration.
“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. I will always be incredibly proud to be able to say I was a professional cricketer.”
Gloucestershire expressed their grief over Wells’ retirement and extended their gratitude to medical staff for the early diagnosis.
“While everyone at Gloucestershire is devastated for Ben, a hugely talented cricketer with a bright future ahead, we are incredibly grateful to both the club’s medical professionals and those externally who acted quickly to diagnose Ben’s heart condition at the earliest opportunity,” the club stated.
Both the club and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) are providing support to Wells and his family during this challenging time, ensuring he receives the necessary medical attention for his condition.
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