Wells, who played 25 times for his county, made an unbeaten hundred in his final appearance last August
Gloucestershire batter Ben Wells has been forced to retire from cricket after being diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.
The diagnosis came unexpectedly during routine pre-season heart screening, and the condition, which also forced former England batter James Taylor into retirement, means that Wells has been advised to avoid vigorous exercise.
A Gloucestershire statement added that he "will now be fitted with an implantable cardiac defibrillator to help manage the condition and allow him to live a normal life away from the field of play".
It added: "While everyone at Gloucestershire is devastated for Ben, a hugely talented cricketer with a bright future ahead, we are incredibly grateful to both the club's medical professionals and those externally who acted quickly to diagnose Ben's heart condition at the earliest opportunity. The club, alongside the PCA, are actively supporting Ben through what is undoubtedly a very difficult time for him and his family."
Ben Wells has been forced to retire from professional cricket (Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
In an open letter, Wells wrote: "As tough as it is, this diagnosis has likely saved my life, and in time I hope that I can see it in that light. I'm very thankful to the doctors who have picked this up as soon as they could have."
He added: "I will always be incredibly proud to be able to say I was a professional cricketer."
The 23-year-old played 25 times for the county across formats, unfortunate to pick up niggling injuries along the way that restricted opportunities for a free-scoring, hard-hitting right-hander, whose buccaneering approach in white-ball cricket had seen him begin to break through in the T20 Blast.
Wells' final innings in professional cricket was a 72-ball century against Durham in the One-Day Cup. He ended unbeaten on 108, a career-best.
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That performance was all the more remarkable, given he had torn his hamstring during the first innings, when Gloucestershire were in the field, only to emerge at No.5 to belt 16 fours and four sixes in an extraordinary assault that allowed for a run-chase of 268 to be completed within 37 overs. That hamstring injury ended his season, however.
Wells, a popular member of a predominantly young group at Bristol, is one of a couple of recent Exeter University alumni at Gloucestershire.
"We will dearly miss Ben as one of our brothers within the dressing room," said Gloucestershire captain Graeme van Buuren. "He is a fantastic human being and a really loved member of the squad. All of us are supporting Ben through what he is going through and will no doubt stay in touch."
Wells smashed an unbeaten century in his final appearance for Gloucestershire, while batting on a torn hamstring (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Wells said: "I'm very thankful for everything that cricket has given me throughout my life, from the friends I've made, the places I've been able to visit, and the many memories that I've made along the way. Cricket has been a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s been all I’ve ever wanted to do.
"From playing in the garden as a child with my brother, every break time at school, going to Bath Cricket Club summer camps, playing throughout age group sides, Exeter University, and throughout my time at Gloucestershire, playing cricket has always been my dream and driven everything I’ve done.
"I could never have imagined that this is the path that cricket would have taken me down. I've loved every moment and am very grateful to have had the chance to live out a part of this dream, even if it was only for a few years.
"It's been a journey full of ups and downs, from not gaining a contract at 18, to being offered the chance with Gloucestershire at 21, dealing with a number of major injuries, and ending my career with my first and only professional hundred on a torn hamstring in what is now my final innings; but I will always look back on everything with fond memories."
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