Glamorgan bowler WIll Owen forced to retire after long battle with injuries

Glamorgan bowler Will Owen has retired from cricket at the age of 26 following a lengthy battle with back and hip injuries that included multiple surgeries.

Owen missed most of 2013 through injury and returned to action in the 2014 NatWest T20 Blast, but despite surgery and a long period of rehabilitation treatment and training, he has been unable to return the a level of fitness that allows him to play regular first-team cricket. 

Owen said: “It is with great     disappointment that I announce my retirement. The last couple of seasons have been very difficult as I’ve tried to get back playing to peak performance.

“I am thankful for the support I have received from the club, particularly the medical and conditioning staff. As I look back I’m proud to have lived my dream to play cricket for Glamorgan and I wish the club well for the future.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to all coaches who I have worked with and who have helped me become the player I was and to the PCA. I also have to thank all the supporters for sticking through the tough as well as the good times with me and to the players I have played with who have made the journey so memorable.”

His likeable personality and professional nature will be missed by the team and everyone at the club.

Director of Cricket and Chief Executive Hugh Morris said: “It is a great shame Will has retired from the game at an age when a player would expect to have many more years left to play.

“He delivered some impressive spells in recent seasons in both the longer and short form of the game and his likeable personality and professional nature will be missed by the team and everyone at the club. We wish him well for the future.”

Owen made his first-class debut for Glamorgan against Gloucestershire in the final County Championship match of the 2007 season.

After completing his studies at Cardiff Met, he became a member of Glamorgan’s 1st XI squad in 2011, a season which saw him take 30 first-class wickets and also making 69 against Derbyshire, sharing a club-record 10th wicket stand with James Harris. 

The season before also saw him claim career-best figures in one-day cricket of 5-49 against the Unicorns at Bournemouth.