Hip injury forces Jefferson to retire

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Leicestershire batsman Will Jefferson has been forced to retire from county cricket by a degenerative hip injury just a year after he helped the county win the Friends Life t20.

Jefferson missed the first six weeks of the season with a back injury but regained fitness and played two County Championship matches in mid-season.

However he broke down again soon after and has since had intensive medical treatment on what was diagnosed as a rare hip condition in an attempt to prolong his career.

But Jefferson has now been forced to admit defeat in his attempt to regain fitness and has had to retire at the age of 32 and after three years with Leicestershire.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have come to this decision, but with the medical advice I have received, it is the right time to move on. Deciding on this day, exactly one year on from such a happy memory, seemed a fitting way to celebrate my career,” Jefferson said.

“I would like to thank the medical team at Leicestershire in particular. Also, everyone involved at the club who has helped make the final leg of my journey be such an enjoyable and ultimately fulfilling one. A special mention must go to the PCA for their continued support and the magnificent job they do.

“To my coaches and teammates at Durham University, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, England A and especially Essex in the early days of my career, a big thank you to each and every one of you for contributing to my career, one that I will look back on with enormous pride.

“I leave the game with friendships and memories to last a lifetime, and look forward to moving on and starting the next chapter of my life.”

Jefferson, who also represented Essex and Nottinghamshire in the county game, will be fondly remembered for his super-over heroics on Friends Life t20 Finals Day last season.

The batsman smashed the winning six against Lancashire Lightning that clinched the Foxes’ place in the final as well as securing their position in the Champions League.

Jefferson scored 1,814 first-class runs at an average of 35.57 for Leicestershire with a best of 135, which was a brilliant innings against Surrey at the Oval. He made five centuries and also pocketed 39 catches in his 30 appearances.


Date: 25/08/2012 10:51:06 by Paul Bolton
In: Today | Nottinghamshire | Leicestershire | Essex |