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Gloucestershire's 23 Year Old Ben Wells Forced To Retire From Cricket Due To A Heart Condition 

Ben Wells is retiring from cricket (Twitter) Ben Wells is retiring from cricket (Twitter)

Gloucestershire's rising talent, Ben Wells revealed that he is being forced to retire from cricket at just 23 years of age due to a debilitating heart condition, that gets worse by vigorous exercise. 

At such a young age, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter has had to leave cricket, a sport that he has grown up playing.

In his detailed open letter, he revealed that two weeks ago during a routine check up he found out he is suffering from what is called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and will need a defibrillator implanted in the coming weeks. The early diagnosis has thankfully saved his life as he would now begin one of the most toughest process of all.

While reminiscing his cricketing journey, he remembered how he didn't get a contract until the age of 21 and now at the beginning of his career he has had to part ways with it. He said: 

"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 talked about how how cricket has been a big part of his life ever since his childhood days and that it has been a tough pill for him to swallow. He added further:

"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 made his debut back in 2021 and has featured in 1 first-class game, 15 List A matches and 9 T20s in the three years of his domestic career. He even struck his first ever century against Durham before his diagnosis.