5 unlucky cricketers whose careers were marred by injury

The sheer number of matches cricketers play do take a toll on their body. Some are able to cope with it while there are some whose bodies are unable to take the stress. However, there are some players who are just downright unlucky to have their careers forcefully ended due to injuries.

There have been players like Sachin Tendulkar who have suffered a lot from injuries, but still, carried on to have legendary careers. Unluckily, there are others who could also have made it as big if it were not for their injury(ies).

Injuries are a part and parcel of any sport and cricket is no different and has its fair share of horror stories. Despite the best protective gear, there are scores of cricketers who have had unfortunate injuries. In this article, let us have a look at five such players.

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#5 David Lawrence

David 'Syd' Lawrence is a successful bodybuilder

The right-arm fast bowler had just secured his place in the English team when tragedy struck him in 1992 during a match against New Zealand. While bowling a delivery during the match, David Lawrence suffered a fracture and shattered his kneecap (left patella). The pacer was in agonizing pain and was screaming in despair, finally being stretchered off the field.

Although he played first-class cricket till 1997, he never made a return to his national team and retired aged just 29.

David only played five Tests and a single ODI for his national team. The Gloucestershire-born player did not lose hope in life and has established himself as a champion bodybuilder. At 54, he still has an enviable body.

#4 Saba Karim

Saba Karim

Syed Saba Karim made his debut for India against South Africa on Jan 23, 1997. However, he could never cement his place in the national team due to wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia being the first choice. After Mongia, MSK Prasad and Sameer Dighe were initially preferred by the selectors.

Karim finally got his chance to shine as he was selected for the national team when South Africa toured India in 2000. Unfortunately - right before this series - during a match against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, Anil Kumble's delivery struck him directly in the eye and he was forced to retire despite having undergone surgery.

The talented wicketkeeper-batsman could only manage to feature in 34 ODIs and a solitary Test for India.

#3 Nari Contractor

Nari Contractor

Although the left-handed batsman played 31 Tests for India, he would have certainly gone on to play more if it was not for the terrifying incident during a Test match against West Indies.

Pacer Charlie Griffith bowled a bouncer which struck Nari on the skull and he was left unconscious on the ground - a state he would remain in for six days. Blood transfusion helped save his life but he never played for India again.

After gaining consciousness, Nari said that he remembered someone opening the glass window in the pavilion and that distracted him for a brief moment before the ball struck him.

His injury came in March 1962 - a time when batsmen did not even wear helmets. Luckily, there is far more protective gear available for the head nowadays.

#2 Mark Boucher

Not only was Mark Boucher great behind the stumps, but he was also terrific with the bat as well.

Former stumper of South Africa, Mark Verdon Boucher is one of the most talented wicket-keepers to have played the game of cricket. His is another case of a wicket-keeper suffering an eye injury. However, how it happened is completely different.

On 9 July 2012, Boucher was keeping in a practice match against Somerset. After Imran Tahir bowled out Gemaal Hussain, one of the bails ricocheted off the stumps and hit Boucher in the eye. He was not wearing the protective helmet during that time.

South Africa's legendary wicket-keeper was forced to retire thereafter. He featured in 147 Tests and 295 ODIs for the national team besides 25 T20Is. The entire cricketing fraternity had a heavy heart that day as they knew they would not be seeing a top-notch player play again.

Boucher did regain vision after two successful eye surgeries.

#1 Craig Kieswetter

Craig Kieswetter

The English player is the third wicket-keeper on this list. During a county match, a fast short ball from David Willey hit Craig in the face. Although he was wearing a helmet at the time, the delivery was so fierce that it broke across the grille and fractured his nose, cheekbone, even damaging his eye socket.

Even though the injury did not seem to be career-threatening initially, Craig had lost his ability to track balls and therefore retired soon after. Psychological trauma was another reason for his retirement.

A heartbreaking incident which cut short a young career could have gone on to be so big had it not occurred.

The keeper was a part of the T20 World Cup winning squad of England and gave a terrific performance. He was awarded with the Man of the Match trophy in the final. Overall, he played 46 ODIs and 25 T20Is for England. Craig became a professional golfer in 2017.