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Hatchett retires after defying the odds

Lewis Hatchett, the Sussex left-arm pace bowler, has announced his retirement on medical advice having defied the odds to have a professional career

Lewis Hatchett: '"I will forever be proud that I managed to realise my dream of playing for Sussex"  •  Getty Images

Lewis Hatchett: '"I will forever be proud that I managed to realise my dream of playing for Sussex"  •  Getty Images

Lewis Hatchett, the Sussex left-arm pace bowler, has announced his retirement on medical advice after having defied the odds to have a professional career.
Hatchett, 26, was born with Poland Syndrome, a condition which appears in only one in 100,000 births, and leads to problems down one side of the body. For Hatchett it meant he was missing his right pectoral muscle and two ribs, leading to a weak delivery arm and a right shoulder that sits higher than his left, causing sharp pain after a day's play. Yet he overcame those obstacles to have a six-year career with Sussex.
But his 2016 season was curtailed by a lower-back injury that forced to an end to his career.
"It is with great sadness that I have to announce my retirement from professional cricket due to injury," he said. "Following medical advice, my long-term health is most important to me and I have to listen to my body.
"To have to end my career in this way has been devastating, but to play six years at my home county has been a dream come true.
"I will forever be proud that I managed to realise my dream of playing for Sussex and considering the journey I have had, fills me with further pride.
"I've met some incredible people throughout my career, especially at Sussex. I've made friends for life through this sport and it was a huge honour to wear the Martlets on my chest every time I played. I wish the team all the success in the future and will watch fondly.
"Finally, I will forever be grateful to my parents for their support all throughout my career, from a young age even to this day. I could not have done it without them. And to my brother, Bradley, for not only his support but for all the fond memories from playing cricket in the garden as kids to playing together at club level."
Hatchett took 72 first-class wickets at 35.08 along with 19 in List A matches and 11 in T20s. In what would become his penultimate first-class match, against Derbyshire in May, he claimed 5 for 58.
In an interview with the Guardian in July, where he spoke for the first time about his condition, Hatchett said: "Getting told I was getting a full-time contract was like my ultimate goal being achieved - I don't think I have ever been happier than that day. There were times when I had doubts as to whether I was doing the right thing and injuries did, and still do, take a lot to come back from. But if my career ends tomorrow I will be happy with what I have achieved. I have made myself into a professional cricketer."
Sussex's head coach Mark Davis said: "I would like to congratulate Hatch on everything he has achieved at Sussex. He is somebody that despite real challenges has made the most of himself as a county cricketer.
"Lewis will be successful at whatever he chooses to do post-cricket, due to his extraordinary work ethic and drive. I wish him all the best for the future."