Gloucestershire seamer Luke Charlesworth has right now introduced that he’ll retire from skilled cricket on the finish of October 2026, on medical recommendation, following a again harm sustained in August.
An everyday within the second XI, the academy graduate went on to make a complete of 11 appearances for the county throughout codecs, along with his final look coming within the One Day Cup at the start of August.
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No different possibility
Charlesworth issued an announcement to members and supporters on his determination to retire from cricket:
“It’s with deep remorse that I’m saying my retirement from skilled cricket attributable to a again harm that I sustained in August this 12 months.
“After searching for professional medical recommendation, the place all choices have been explored, I’ve been suggested that I’ve no different possibility however to retire with the long-term view of my wellbeing.
“This determination has been extremely painful and irritating, particularly on the again of three years of intermittent rehabilitation which has prevented me from fulfilling my cricketing potential.
“First, I’d prefer to thank everybody who has been part of my journey to attain my dream of enjoying skilled cricket over the past 5 years, the game I’ve beloved for the reason that age of six.
“The individuals I’ve shared the dressing room with have made this expertise so unimaginable, lots of whom I’ve developed lifelong friendships with. I recognize all of the coaches and workers who I’ve labored with, particularly the medical staff who’ve labored tirelessly to get me again out on the pitch time and time once more.
“I additionally thank my household for his or her unwavering assist all through all of it.
“It’s been an honour to symbolize Gloucestershire, and I’ll all the time cherish my reminiscences right here. The Membership will proceed to imply a lot to me as I transition out of the skilled recreation and into the following chapter of my life.”
(PICTURE: Gloucestershire Cricket)
Pathway graduate
The 23-year-old progressed via the Gloucestershire Expertise Pathway and Academy to the skilled squad, and brings to an in depth a journey with the Membership that started when he first travelled to Bristol to coach as an 11-year-old.
Luke’s cricket began at Abingdon Vale Cricket Membership on the age of six. He went on to play age-group cricket for Oxfordshire, and from the age of 11 was making the common journey to Bristol to coach with the Gloucestershire Expertise Pathway. At 15, he joined the Gloucestershire Academy.
He made his Second XI debut in 2019 at simply 16, taking 2/49 towards Kent Second XI at Bathtub Cricket Membership, and was named the Gloucestershire Cricket Pathway’s Beneath-17 Participant of the Yr that very same season.
He has since taken greater than 115 wickets for the Second XI, a facet he has usually captained over the previous two seasons.
Luke signed his first rookie contract with the Membership in March 2022, while learning Historical past on the College of Exeter.
He made his first-class debut in his second 12 months at college, towards Leicestershire at Grace Road in September 2023, and marked the event with three wickets (3/54).
He graduated in 2024 and subsequently signed a full-time contract with the Membership. In complete, Luke claimed 11 wickets in his 11 First XI appearances throughout all codecs.
His finest figures got here this summer time within the Metro Financial institution One Day Cup, when he took 3/42 towards Kent Spitfires at Seat Distinctive Stadium, sharing six wickets with Will Williams as The Shire bowled the guests out for 208 on the way in which to a six-wicket win.
(PICTURE: Gloucestershire Cricket)
Huge disgrace
Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batter James Bracey, a stalwart of the Gloucestershire dressing room, stated:
“The lads and I are gutted to listen to the news of Luke having to retire based mostly on medical recommendation. As such a hard-working, loyal, gifted and beloved member of the enjoying workers, it’s an enormous disgrace his profession has come to an finish by the hands of harm.
“It was a pleasure to share the sphere with him, significantly on this 12 months’s Metro Financial institution One Day Cup the place he confirmed unbelievable promise, ability and want main our assault.
“Nevertheless, the factor I really like most is his care and empathy for his team-mates, which works such an extended option to making a unbelievable changing-room setting.
“Luke will all the time be a beloved member of the Glosters and we want him, his household and his associate Mollie all the perfect for what’s subsequent.”
Gloucestershire’s Director of Cricket, Jon Lewis, had this to say about Luke:
“It’s all the time irritating and disappointing when a younger participant has to retire via harm, however the hardest half is seeing a superb particular person miss out on reaching their dream. This might be a very robust time for Luke.
“He has proven on many events that he’s an extremely resilient younger man, and I’m positive he’ll bounce again and go on to do nice issues, as a result of he is an efficient particular person.
“He’ll all the time be welcome right here at Gloucestershire. He’s a real Gloucestershire Cricket boy. We want him all the perfect and hope to see him across the floor over time to return.”
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