One of the most unfortunate things in cricket is players being forced to retire not at their choice. There have been instances where an injury on the field made players retire abruptly. The likes of Nari Contractor and Mark Boucher fall in this category. On the other hand, a few had to come up against health issues that were not fully in their control. In this article, we take a look at five cricketers whose careers got ended due to health issues.
1) Marcus Trescothick – Retired From International Cricket Due To Stress-Related Illness
Having made more than 5000 runs in Tests and 4335 runs in ODIs for England, Marcus Trescothick’s International career came to an abrupt end at the age of 33. The opener retired citing stress-related illness and frequent anxiety attacks.
When away from home for long durations, Marcus pointed out that stress attacks did not allow him to concentrate on the game. Hence, he hung up his boots from International Cricket. However, he continued playing for Somerset in County Cricket. It was only in 2019, at the age of 44, that he quit all forms of cricket.
2) Jonathon Trott – Retired From International Cricket Battling Stress And Mental Health Issues
After the 2013/14 Ashes Series, Jonathon Trott was absent for 16 months due to an illness. He made a comeback for the West Indies series in 2015 but in the same tournament, he announced his international retirement. The South African born – English cricketer’s stress and mental health issues had taken a toll on his form. However, he did not stop playing domestic cricket after leaving the English squad.
Once the No.1 Test batsman, Trott’s contributions at No.3 was massive for England. He helped England do well in the Ashes on multiple occasions. In 2018, Trott also hung up his boots from first-class cricket.
3) John Hastings – Retired Due To A Mysterious Lung Infection
John Hastings actually enjoyed a decent International career. He played one Test, against South Africa, and then represented in ODIs and T20Is for his country as well. The bowling all-rounder was also part of the CSK and KKR outfits in IPL.
However, at the age of 33, in 2018, Hastings was forced to retire due to a mysterious lung condition. This condition made his lungs bleed when he bowled and hence, Hastings did not have an option but to cut short his career. Hence, he is one of the cricketers whose careers got ended due to health issues.
4) Beau Casson – Forced To Retire From Cricket At 28 Due To A Heart Condition
Beau Casson was popular in the Australian domestic circuit, for he was once the country’s best long-term option of a left-arm wrist-spinner. However, Casson had to survive under the shadow of Stuart MacGill, and opportunities were hard to come by.
Casson did wear the Baggy Green and was once one of Australia‘s centrally contracted cricketers. However, all the while, he had to go through an adjusted training regime because he was born with a heart problem. Eventually, in November 2011, the heart condition forced Casson to retire at the age of 28.
5) James Taylor – Forced To Retire From Cricket At 26 Due To A Heart Condition
James Taylor had played 7 Tests and 27 ODI’s for England before an incurable hearth condition made him retire early. In 2016, Taylor revealed that he was suffering from Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, a condition that will not allow him to continue playing the game.
When he first broke into the English Team, he was criticized for his short height. However, the right-hander answered his critics, when he scored his maiden ODI hundred against Australia. Hence, he is also one of the cricketers whose careers got ended due to health issues.
