Ian Saxelby

Ian Saxelby was a highly-promising right-arm seam bowler but was struck down with several serious injuries. He missed the entire 2010 and 2013 seasons and, after a brief comeback at the start of 2014, he broke down again and was forced to retire at the age of 25.

Having come through the youth ranks at Nottinghamshire, Saxelby was given a senior deal at Gloucestershire following a trial. On his debut in 2008 he helped save a Championship game against Middlesex batting at No. 11. The following season he took 20 wickets at 31.00 before dislocating his shoulder climbing out of a swimming pool that winter. He suffered a second dislocation playing in a friendly at Worcestershire and required surgery, missing the entire 2010 season.

On his return, he enjoyed a profitable 2011 with 49 wickets at 31.20 and with several senior players departing Gloucestershire, suddenly became the most experienced bowler in the county's attack as the 2012 season began. He returned 35 wickets at 25.62 before his season was cut short by a knee problem. It would rule him out of the whole of the 2013 campaign too. After coming back for two matched at the start of 2014, his knee went again at The Oval. He required surgery which revealed the injury was worse than anticipated, forcing him to retire.

Saxelby's uncle, Kevin, took over 500 wickets in first-class and one-day cricket for Nottinghamshire from 1978 to 1990. His other uncle, Mark, played 61 first-class matches for Nottinghamshire, Durham and Derbyshire before tragically committing suicide in October 2000.
ESPNcricinfo staff