Ben Wells, a star player for Gloucestershire, announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 23 following a cardiac diagnosis. Wells was found to have Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy during a standard pre-season screening. The same illness that keeps Wells from engaging in “rigorous exercise” also forced former England batter James Taylor to retire in 2016.
It also bears similarities to the illness that forced football player Fabrice Muamba to retire in 2012 following a cardiac arrest while Bolton were playing Spurs. He will now be fitted with an implantable cardiac defibrillator.
In August of last year, Wells scored his only century in professional cricket during his final innings of the Metro Bank 50-over cup against Durham, scoring 108 not out from just 76 balls.
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Emotional open letter
As part of an open letter penned to fans, he wrote, “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.
“I’m very thankful for everything that cricket has given me throughout my life, from the friends I’ve made, the places I’ve been able to visit, and the many memories that I’ve made along the way.
“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.”
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