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Eye problem leads to Walbridge retirement

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 20th Jul 2004.

DORSET skipper Sean Walbridge has announced his retirement from cricket.

The left arm spinner is hanging up his whites after conceding defeat to an eye problem which left him with permanently blurred vision.

The 35-year-old ex-Dorchester star reckons his injury will make it too dangerous to continue playing and has reluctantly retired from the game altogether.

Walbridge suffered a detached retina in his left eye back in April - on the eve of Dorset's big C&G Trophy clash with Yorkshire.

He underwent emergency surgery to repair the damage, but a recent consultation confirmed his vision would be permanently distorted.

Walbridge today told the Dorset Echo: "I'm absolutely gutted to have had to make the decision to retire but it is the best thing for me to do.

"I had hoped a long period of rest might do the trick but I've been told that unfortunately won't be the case.

"A central part of my left eye is permanently damaged, leaving me with blurred vision.

"That obviously means I am struggling to even see the ball so there is no way I can play.

"I know the ball is in the air but I cannot judge whether I need to move to it and I often pick the ball up late.

"I don't want to run the risk of being seriously injured in the future so have decided to pack in playing altogether.

"It wasn't the easiest decision to make and it's fair to say this is quite an emotional day for me.

"But the bottom line is that I have to do what is best for my long-term health."

Walbridge, who became county skipper earlier this year, admitted the timing of the injury made the set-back an even bigger blow. He said: "This could not have come at a worse time - I was really looking forward to captaining the side and working with everyone in the Dorset set up.

"We put a lot of work in off the field over the winter, so to have to pack in now after all that is hard to take.

"Playing in the Yorkshire game would have been the icing on the cake for me but unfortunately it just wasn't to be."

Walbridge ranks his county debut against Cornwall at Dorchester in 1991, when he returned match figures of 9-82, as one of his career highlights.

He now plans to take coaching exams later this year, and hopes to link up with a club side next summer.

"I've got some great memories from over the years and my county debut will always stick in my mind," he said.

"But the thing I'm most going to miss is all the dressing room banter and the great bunch of lads I've come across.

"The last few months have given me chance to take stock and now I want to give something back to the game that has served me so well over the years.

"There are a number of promising youngsters coming through the ranks in Dorset and the future of cricket in the county looks very bright."

Walbridge added: "I want to help those players along their way and, on a personal level, coaching will keep me involved with the sport.

"In an ideal world, I would love to be still leading the county and playing my cricket every week.

"But I've accepted that won't be happening and I want to get on with helping others enjoy and improve their game."

First published: July 20

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