John Hastings retires after tests fail to determine why he coughs up blood when he bowls

Hastings, who represented his country in all three forms of the game, underwent rigorous tests to try to establish the reason for the issue but doctors have not been able to find the root cause

Former Australia international John Hastings has been forced to retire by a mystery lung condition which has caused him to cough up blood when he bowls.

Hastings, who represented his country in all three forms of the game, underwent rigorous tests to try to establish the reason for the issue but doctors have been unable to find the root cause.

And having put his career on hold last month, the 33-year-old has now made the decision to step away from the game.

^{John Hastings has retired}

"There was just a lot of grey area surrounding long-term health, whether it was causing any damage, and if there was any potential to have a fatal bleed on the field. They just really couldn’t say yes or no. And I wasn’t happy with that,” he told Australian media.

Hastings was due to play in the upcoming Big Bash for the Sydney Sixers.

He made one Test appearance for Australia, against South Africa in Perth in 2012, in addition to turning out in 29 one-day internationals and nine T20Is.

In a distinguished career, he also played in England - for Durham and Worcestershire - and three sides in the Indian Premier League.