AN England fast bowling prospect capable of breakneck speeds has stepped away from the sport at just 25 years old.
John Turner played four internationals for the Three Lions, and had been clocked at over 90 miles an hour.
“Exceptionally talented” cricketer John Turner has had to call it quits Credit: Getty
Turner could bowl at over 90mph and had aspirations to be England’s “quickest” Credit: Getty
After knocking over ex-England captain Alistair Cook on debut, Turner will now never take a professional wicket again.
Although blessed with raw pace, his career was simultaneously plagued by physical struggles which pushed Turner into early retirement.
The Hampshire speed merchant had been sidelined from competitive cricket for over a year after sustaining a serious stress fracture last June.
Turner revealed that a previous history of injuries – alongside his current stint on the operating table – led him to “one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make”.
A series of eye-catching county performances culminated in a first England development contract for the right-arm quick in 2023.
The following year, Turner spoke of a desire “to try be the quickest” England fast bowler, and made his international debut on a white ball tour to the West Indies in October.
His evident promise was hamstrung by an ailing body, which restricted him to 68 matches for club and country.
Despite his professional career being shortened to five years, Turner still looks back fondly on his time with ball in hand.
The 25-year-old has a Finance and Economics degree to fall back on Credit: Getty
He said: “It was always my dream to play professional and international cricket, and doing so for Hampshire and England has been nothing short of living out those same childhood dreams.”
Meanwhile, Hampshire’s director of cricket Giles White said he was “saddened” to see “an exceptionally talented player” retire.
The former fast bowler seems set for a bright future beyond the boundary rope, having graduated from Exeter University in 2024 with an Economics and Finance degree.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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