Ben Wells announces retirement from Cricket
1 May 2024
Gloucestershire and Bath CC wicketkeeper-batter Ben Wells has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 23.
Ben’s enforced retirement comes after he was unexpectedly diagnosed with a heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) following a routine heart screening during pre-season. The condition means that Ben needs to avoid vigorous exercise and as such is unable to continue playing professional cricket. Ben will now be fitted with an implantable cardiac defibrillator to help manage the condition and allow him to live a normal life away from the field of play.
While everyone at Bath Cricket Club is devastated for Ben, a hugely talented cricketer with a bright future ahead, we are incredibly grateful to Gloucestershire's medical professionals and those externally who acted quickly to diagnose Ben’s heart condition at the earliest opportunity.
A regular for Bath CC, for whom he has played more than 100 1st XI matches, Ben experienced a breakout year for Gloucestershire in 2023 particularly due to his explosive performances in the T20 Vitality Blast. A standout performance came against Hampshire Hawks in Bristol, when he hit a blistering 43* from just 22 balls to guide Gloucestershire to an eight-wicket win.
A Right-handed bat, Ben made his debut for Gloucestershire in List A cricket against Lancashire in July 2021 before making his first appearance in the County Championship against Glamorgan just two months later.
Having made 25 professional appearances across all-formats for Gloucestershire, his last performance for the Club was arguably his best; a magnificent 108* as the Shire defeated Durham by seven-wickets on the road to the Metro Bank Cup semi-final.
From all at Bath Cricket Club, our hearts go out to Ben at this difficult time and we stand alongside him, offering our unwavering support.
