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Cricket is a high octane game, and with it comes a lot of health risks. Although cricket safety has been taken seriously with standards of helmets revised, the introduction of bodyguards and yet elements of unfortunate events stand. Injuries on the field are a part and parcel of every sport, and sportsmen are usually well-equipped to deal with them.

Protective gears such as helmets, arm guards, abdomen guards are mandatory for every cricketer before he faces the ball. But at times, they run out of luck despite being fully protected. This beautiful game has witnessed many unfortunate incidents in the past. Today we take a look at a list of cricketers who had premature retirements from the game.

Phil Hughes

One of the most miserable moments in the game, Philip Hughes paid the ultimate cost of his life when facing the last of his career. The southpaw batsman was hit on the neck by Sean Abbott in the Sheffield Shield, domestic cricket game of Australia. The left-hander spent the next few days in a coma and let out his last breath in the hospital. In fact, the left-hander was batting not out on 63 runs and was a massive blow to Australian cricket as a whole.

Mark Boucher

One of the finest wicketkeepers to have played for South Africa, Mark Boucher's international career was halted by a freak accident. During a practice game against Somerset when Boucher was keeping wickets for South Africa. A ball from Imran Tahir hit the stumps and the bail flew straight into his eye, causing serious damage. Boucher was forced to retire from the sport based on medical advice, bringing down curtains on his career, earlier than expected.

James Taylor

James Taylor represented England in the Under-19 World Cup and went on to make his international debut at the mere age of just 19 years old. It was his textbook technique and hunger for runs that saw him earning praise from the England team selectors. But tragedy struck him soon, As he was diagnosed with rare heart disease (ARVC) which forced him into early retirement from cricket when he was just 26 years old. Since then, he has been forced into coaching and commentary.

Jonathan Trott

Born in South Africa, Jonathan Trott was selected to play at the highest level for England. Trott rose to fame, coming in at No.3 for England in Test cricket. He was selected the ICC and ECB Cricketer of the Year in 2011. However, his career faced a catastrophe in the 2013-14 Ashes series in Australia as Trott faced major stress and anxiety-related issues. Trott did take an indefinite break from cricket and tried returning afterward, but soon retired from all forms of cricket.

“It’s fantastic. I am very proud of my England career but I now have that drive to help younger players at Warwickshire. I like that responsibility of being a senior player with the challenge of setting the bar high. I still get that buzz from excelling.”- Jonathan Trott

Craig Kieswetter

England’s ODI and T20 wicketkeeper, Craig Kieswetter recently announced his retirement from all forms of the game. The 27-year old Englishman in a county game against Northamptonshire, Kieswetter was struck right in the face, as the ball went past the helmet’s grill. The result was a broken nose and a damaged eye socket that caused serious concerns about his vision. Kieswetter did try to come back after a partial recovery, but struggled with the repercussions and decided to retire.

Injuries that end a career are not pretty for anyone and also draw the curtain on wonderful moments of cricket of what could have been. Even though the technology is constantly revised in regards to the health and safety of the players on the field, not all unfortunate moments can be predicted by anyone.