Brad Wheal retires from cricket after recurring injuries

Brad Wheal ends professional career at 30

Scotland and Hampshire seamer Brad Wheal has retired from professional cricket after recurring injuries made it increasingly difficult to continue fast bowling.

Wheal, 30, took 51 wickets in 44 appearances across a decade-long international career with Scotland. He played at four T20 World Cups, most recently in India earlier this year.

He also represented Hampshire from 2015, helping the county win the One-Day Cup in 2018 and the T20 Blast in 2022.

‘My body can’t cope with the demands of fast bowling’

“I’ve loved my time at Hampshire and representing Scotland as a professional cricketer, but unfortunately, recurring injuries have forced my hand, and I’ve made the decision to retire from playing cricket,” Wheal said.

He said the decision had not been easy, but that he was “at peace with it”. Wheal cited four stress fractures in his back and recent knee surgery, adding: “Ultimately my body can’t cope with the demands of fast bowling anymore.”

Wheal said playing for Scotland had meant a great deal to him and his family. He described his four World Cup appearances, friendships and time in the dressing room as among the experiences he would remember most, and thanked his teammates, coaches, support staff and Scotland fans.

“I’ll certainly be following the boys closely and supporting them from afar,” he said.