Scotland Batsman Matt Machan Retires At 26 Due To Wrist Injury
Jul 28, 2017 at 8:07 PM
A wrist injury has forced Scotland and Sussex batsman Matt Machan to take retirement from the game at an early age of 26. The left-handed batsman, who has been hampered by the injury for a while, took the tough call after being advised by the doctors. Machan had undergone a surgery in September last year but the injury failed to heal completely, compelling the batsman to take an early retirement.
“It is with great sadness and an extremely heavy heart that I have to announce my retirement. Following medical advice, my long-term health is most important to me and I have to take that into account,” Machan said.
“I believe as a batsman I was only just starting to come into my own and it is a real shame that this has been cut short so early as I believe I had so much still to offer Sussex over the next few years,” he added.
An aggressive batsman, Machan was an integral part of Scotland’s limited-overs team where he averaged 33 in One-Day International and 40 in Twenty20 Internationals. He made his international debut in 2013 during an ODI against Afghanistan in Sharjah in 2013. His only international also came in 2013 when he scored 114 against Kenya. He was also a handy bowler, picking up 14 wickets in the limited-overs format.
“Playing for Scotland brings so much joy and pride to me and the thought of not being able to do that again is a very hard pill to swallow,” said Machan.
Sussex’s director of cricket, Keith Greenfield also paid his tribute to the player who was at the club since he was 10-year old.
“Matt has been part of Sussex cricket since he was 10 years of age, and it is sad that we will not see Matt continue to develop and deliver his talent on the pitch because of his wrist injury. His passion for the club has always been clear,” Greenfield said.