Cricket is a sport that requires strict discipline and fitness from the players as the game has evolved so much in these modern times. But a player suffers many injuries in his career due to an increase in Formats, Matches, and Domestic Leagues. Some players faced injuries and had to retire from their cricketing careers. Here is the list of Players who retired because of Health Conditions/injuries.
1. Craig Kieswetter
Craig Kieswetter is a former cricketer who appeared in 46 ODIs and 25 T20Is for England from 2010 to 2013. Born and raised in South Africa, Kieswetter moved to England and began playing county cricket for Somerset in 2007. He made his debut in ODI against Bangladesh as a wicket-keeper batsman. He was even the Man of the Match in the 2010 World T20 Final, securing the first ICC T20I title. He suffered an eye injury as he broke his nose and damaged his eye socket and cheekbone when he faced a bouncer bowled by David Willey in July 2014 while playing for Somerset against Northamptonshire. Though he made a comeback after an injury, he could never be the cricketer he was before the injury...
2. Nathan Bracken
Nathan Bracken is a former Australian left-arm fast-medium bowler who could swing it both ways. Bracken represented New South Wales in Australian Domestic Cricket and the English County team Gloucestershire in 2004. He has played 5 Tests, 174 ODIs, and 19 T20Is for Australia and took 12, 174, and 19 Wickets, respectively. He was part of Australia's squad when they won the Cricket World Cup in 2003 and 2007. But unfortunately, he suffered a Chronic Knee Injury, and on 28th January 2011, he announced his retirement.
3. Nari Contractor
Nariman Jamshedji Contractor is a former cricketer who played for India. He began his first-class career for Gujarat and made his debut in a Test match against New Zealand in Delhi on 2nd December 1955. He played 31 Tests for India. Nari took a blow on the back of his skull, fracturing it while facing Griffith. A blood clot developed inside his head. He underwent two surgeries to remove the clot. The West Indies Captain Frank Rowell, his teammates Chandu Borde , Bapu Nadkarni, and Polly Umrigar donated blood for his blood transfusion. His career ended due to the incident. He played his last match on 7th March 1962 against West Indies . Nari Contractor (left) and Pankaj Roy of India walking out to bat during their Tour match against TN Pearce's XI at Scarborough on 9th September, 1959. TN Pearce's XI won by five wickets. (Photo by Bob Thomas/ Popperfoto via Getty Images)
4. Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff is a former cricketer who played for England. Flintoff was one of the best all-rounders. He made his debut in 1998 for England against South Africa. He played 79 Tests, 141 ODIs, and 7 T20Is for England and had a tremendous impact on his team with his bat and bowl. Flintoff was named England's "Man of the Series" in the 2005 Ashes.But he wasn’t lucky as he used to get injured quite a lot. Finally, he retired in 2010 due to a long-standing knee injury at 32. Post-retirement, he started his career in Professional Boxing and then as a TV Presenter.
5. Saba Karim
Syed Saba Karim is a former Professional cricketer who played for India as a right-handed batter and a wicket-keeper. Karim started his first-class career at 15 for Bihar in 1982–83 and made his debut in 1997 against South Africa. He played 1 Test and 34 ODIs for India.But sadly, he suffered an eye injury while keeping for India against Bangladesh in 2000, which ended his career. He was appointed National Selector from the East Zone and then General Manager of Cricket Operations by BCCI. These days he is a renowned commentator.
6. David Lawrence
David Valentine Lawrence is a former cricketer who played for England from 1988 to 1992. Lawrence was a powerfully built right-arm fast bowler who generated great pace with his vigorous bowling action. He was playing first-class cricket for Gloucestershire at the age of 17. He played 5 Tests and 1 ODI for England.He suffered a horrific knee injury as his left patella (knee cap) shattered on 10th February 1992, in Wellington, New Zealand, while playing his fifth Test for his country, which curtailed his career. Although he made two comeback attempts, his knee cracked again, and he retired at 29. Later he made his career in bodybuilding.
7. James Taylor
James William Arthur Taylor is a former cricketer who played for England as a right-handed batsman. Taylor made his first-class debut in 2008 for Leicestershire and his international ODI debut against Ireland in 2011. He played 7 Tests and 27 ODIs for England.But his career was short-lived as he suffered a severe heart condition, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). He retired in April 2016. He was appointed as the selector for England Team in 2018 post his retirement.
8. Mark Boucher
Mark Verdon Boucher is a former cricketer who played for South Africa as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Mark made his International debut in 1997 against Pakistan. Mark played 147 Tests, 295 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for South Africa. He is regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keepers, with 532 catches and 555 total dismissals, and holds the record for most Test dismissals.Boucher suffered an eye injury after being struck on his left eye by a bail bowled by Imran Tahir while keeping against Somerset on 9th July 2012. He had to retire due to this injury in 2012. He was made the Head Coach of the South Africa National Cricket Team in 2019.
9. Beau Casson
Beau Casson is a former cricketer who played for Australia as a left-arm wrist spinner. He represented Western Australia and New South Wales from 2002 to 2011. He made his debut for Australia and played his only Test against West Indies in 2008. But his International Career was hampered due to his heart condition, and he retired in November 2011 at 28. He was appointed New South Wales Coach in 2018 post his retirement
10. Geoff Allott
Geoffrey Ian Allott is a former cricketer who played for New Zealand as a left-arm fast-medium bowler from 1996 to 2000. Geoff made his International debut against Zimbabwe in 1996. He played 10 Tests and 31 ODIs for New Zealand. Geoff was a member of the New Zealand squad that won a bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. His performance in the 1999 World Cup was also crucial as he topped the table with 20 wickets in 9 matches.But he declared his retirement because of a persistent back injury in 2001.
