BRAD WHEAL CONFIRMS RETIREMENT FROM CRICKET
Scotland pace bowler Brad Wheal has announced his retirement from the professional game.
Wheal, 30, made his Scotland debut against Hong Kong in 2016, and has made 44 appearances for his country across ODI and T20i cricket in the past decade, taking 51 wickets.
The right-arm quick featured in four ICC Men’s T20 World Cups for Scotland, including earlier this year in India, and played a central role in memorable wins over Bangladesh in 2021, and the West Indies in 2022.
He has also represented Hampshire since 2015, playing in 131 matches for the county across all formats and winning two trophies, the Royal London One Day Cup in 2018, and Vitality Blast in 2022.
Brad Wheal said:
“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.
“It’s not been an easy decision, but one I am at peace with. I’ve had four stress fractures in my back and recently had surgery on my knee, and ultimately my body can’t cope with the demands of fast bowling anymore.
“It has always meant a lot to me and my family to have had the opportunity to play for Scotland, and it’s something I’ll always be incredibly proud of.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to represent Scotland at four World Cups and have had some incredible experiences along the way. I’ve made some lifelong friends and shared a dressing room with some great people, and those are the things I’ll probably miss the most.
“I’m incredibly thankful to all my teammates, coaches and support staff who I’ve worked with over the years. I’d also like to thank all the Scotland fans for their support over the years, particularly those who’ve travelled around the world to support us. It’s always meant a lot having them behind us.
“It’s been a huge part of my career and something I’ll always look back on with really fond memories. I’ll certainly be following the boys closely and supporting them from afar.”
Steve Snell, Cricket Scotland Head of Performance, said:
“Brad has made a significant contribution to Scottish cricket over the past decade and has been an important part of Cricket Scotland’s progress on the international stage.
“To represent Scotland at four T20 World Cups is a superb achievement, and Brad has consistently demonstrated his quality against some of the best players in the world. His performances during the 2018 World Cup Qualifier, alongside his contributions to memorable victories over Bangladesh and the West Indies, are a few of the many examples of his impact in a Scotland shirt.
“Beyond those performances, Brad has brought a great deal of experience and professionalism to the Scotland squad. His regular exposure to high-level professional cricket, his exciting skills as a fast bowler and the high standards he has demonstrated have all been extremely valuable to the national team and his teammates.
“Brad can look back on his international career with considerable pride. He has played his part in some significant moments for Scottish cricket, and I'd like to thank him for his contribution and commitment over the years. We wish him every success in the next chapter of his life.”