Ben Wells announces retirement from professional cricket
1 May 2024
Gloucestershire 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 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, alongside the PCA, are actively supporting Ben through what is undoubtedly a very difficult time for him and his family.
Having realised his talents as a cricketer at Monkton Combe School near Bath, where he finished as the school’s all-time top run-scorer, Ben progressed through the ranks at Somerset’s Academy before completing his Physics degree at the University of Exeter and then signing for Gloucestershire in July 2021. The Club then supported Ben while he completed his Business Analytics Masters alongside his cricket commitments the following year.
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.
Ben will undoubtedly be a regular visitor to the Seat Unique Stadium having formed close friendships with many players and staff during his time in Bristol. He is an incredibly well-liked member of the dressing room and evidently talented cricketer, and his presence will be sorely missed both on and off the field, this season and beyond.
Ben has written an open letter to Gloucestershire supporters which can be read here
Club Captain at Gloucestershire Cricket, Graeme van Buuren, said: “All of us players and staff are absolutely gutted for Wellsy, he was playing some of the best cricket of his career last season and we were all so excited to see what he could achieve in 2024.
“Ben has dedicated so much time and effort to cricket and even scored a century with a torn hamstring last season, so that speaks volumes of his character and talents as a cricketer.
“Most importantly, however, we will dearly miss Ben as one of our brothers within the dressing room - he is a fantastic human being and a really loved member of the squad. All of us are supporting Ben through what he is going through and will no doubt stay in touch.”
Head Coach, Mark Alleyne, added: “Ben being forced into retirement is the news every sportsperson dreads. He was in a great space with his cricket thanks to an insatiable practice ethic.
“I first met Ben in 2021 when I was assisting the coaching group and he was an exciting talent then. In the three years that have followed Ben managed to transform that early promise into a cricketer that would impact most teams. I was looking forward to seeing him do it for Gloucestershire.
“On reflection though and after feeling the huge waves of disappointment from his teammates and coaching staff; we can look back knowing that a possible catastrophe has been averted. It is that thought that offers us, and Ben of course, a margin of relief and I know he will move forward with dedication and make an impact in whatever he chooses to do next.
“Ben will be greatly missed by this group of players and cricket fans alike.”
Martin Cropper, Personal Development Manager at the PCA, commented: “The PCA is devastated to hear Ben’s news, however, we are grateful for the safeguards within the professional game that have enabled an early detection of his condition. Ben is a diligent individual who has worked tirelessly to create an opportunity in professional cricket and we are saddened that his career has been cut short.
“As a PCA member for life, we will continue to provide holistic wraparound support for Ben and help prepare him for whatever comes after his cricket career. He has shown great dedication to his dual career aspirations through his degree, masters and work experience. Player welfare is central to the PCA‘s agenda and a case like Ben’s is a further example of why we will continue to lobby stakeholders to put greater protections in place for our members.”
At the request of Ben and his family, the Club would like to ask that Ben’s privacy is respected while he comes to terms with the diagnosis and premature end to his professional career.
Ben has written an open letter to Gloucestershire supporters which can be read here
