Injury forces Stuart Whittingham to retire

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Gloucestershire fast bowler Stuart Whittingham has today announced that he will be retiring from professional cricket at the end of October 2020.

The 26-year-old joined Gloucestershire from Sussex in December 2018 but unfortunately a back injury prevented Stuart from playing any cricket in the South West.

Whittingham issued a statement on his decision to retire from cricket, he said:

“I have taken the decision to retire from professional cricket due to a back injury that I have failed to recover from. This decision is not one I’ve taken lightly but is based on expert medical advice, with the long-term view of my physical wellbeing.

I’m grateful to Gloucestershire for signing me and am gutted I couldn’t repay the faith on the pitch. I want to wish everyone at Gloucestershire all the best for the coming seasons and look forward to taking in the cricket as a fan.

I also want to say a huge thank you to Gloucestershire’s medical team who worked tirelessly to help me get back on the park. It’s been a great honour to play professional cricket and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at both Sussex and Gloucestershire, I have great memories and lasting friendships. I’m excited now to move forward and see what the future holds.”

Head Coach Richard Dawson added:

“It is with great sadness that Stuart has been unable to show his abilities that we all know he has due to continued injury.

“Throughout this difficult time Stuart has shown high levels of professionalism and resilience and has been a very popular member of the squad.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone at the Club in wishing him well for the future away from the cricket field.”

Whittingham first played for Sussex at Under-10 level and made his First-Class debut against Derbyshire in 2016, taking a wicket with his first ball. Stuart qualified to play for Scotland and his International career began with a three-wicket performance against Sri Lanka in a practise match at Beckenham as part of Scotland’s tour of England in May 2017.

Whittingham went on to make his One-Day International debut for Scotland against Papua New Guinea in the 2015–17 ICC World Cricket League Championship on 6 October 2017. He also made his T20 International debut for Scotland against Ireland on 16 June 2018.

In the 15 First-Class appearances he has made, Stuart has taken 46 wickets, with his best figures of 5 for 80 coming against Derbyshire at Hove in 2017. He also took impressive match figures of 8 for 93 against Ireland in an Intercontinental Cup match in Dubai in 2017.

Everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket would like to thank Stuart for his time at the Club and wish him well for the future.