Australia Fast-Bowler Announces Shocking Retirement

Fed up with constant injuries, Australia fast-bowler John Hastings has announced shocking retirement from first-class and one-day formats. As a result, the right-arm bowler will  no longer play for Victoria but is set to continue in the Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars, where he was recently appointed the captain.

The big-framed bowler has been plagued by succession of injuries during the last one year with a back injury being the latest one which ruled him out of the early stage of the JLT Cup, Australia’s domestic 50-over tournament. The injury ruined his comeback trail after he was gearing up to return to action following the recovery from the ankle injury he sustained while playing for Worcestershire in August.

“Trying to get back after four shoulder reconstructions, four major ankle operations and a major knee operation has just worn me down,” Hastings told cricket.com.au. “The body is just giving up and every time I try to load back to get back to four-day cricket or one-day cricket, it seems as if something else goes.

The 31-year old further said how tough it was for him to take the shocking decision.

“It was a tough decision, one that wasn’t made lightly, but I’ve decided to give the two longer formats away and focus on T20,” he said. “I’ve had a tough run with injuries lately but I’ve still thoroughly enjoyed every moment with the Victorian boys over the years,” Hastings added.

He also confirmed, he will continue playing in the shortest format of the game.

“I’ve still got a bit left in the tank though, and I can’t wait to get back on the park with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash,” he said.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland hailed the bowler as ‘a great servant of Australian cricket’ and congratulated him for his career.

“John has been a great servant of Australian cricket, and a player who worked extremely hard to be the best he could be, both at national and domestic level, and we congratulate him on his achievements,” said Sutherland.

“While it is unfortunate that we will see less of John in action, we wish him the best of luck in his role as captain of the Melbourne Stars for this summer’s KFC Big Bash League and the future ahead,” he added.

Hastings played 75 first-class games in a career spanning 11 seasons.  He represented Victoria in 41 games, taking 138 wickets at 24.75 and lifted the JLT Sheffield Shield title in 2009-10.

Coming to his international career, he played 29 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and was part of Australia’s Champions Trophy squad this year. He was the second-highest ODI wicket taker in 2016. He also represented Australia in 9 T20Is and one Test.