Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Ben Wells forced to retire at the age 23 due to heart condition

Wells was told earlier this month that routine screening had detected arrhymthmic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (AVRC), a rare disease which affects the heart’s muscle tissue and can be dangerous for sportsmen. He will step away from the game immediately and is set to have a defibrillator fitted.

Taylor, now batting coach with Leicestershire, was 26 when he retired with a similar diagnosis in 2016.

Wells has played 25 times for the county across all three formats and hit an unbeaten century in what turned out to be his final professional appearance against Durham in last year's One Day Cup.

In an emotional open letter posted on Gloucestershire's website, he wrote: "As tough as it is, this diagnosis has likely saved my life, and in time I hope that I can see it in that light. I'm very thankful to the doctors who have picked this up as soon as they could have.

"I'm very thankful for everything that cricket has given me throughout my life, from the friends I've made, the places I've been able to visit, and the many memories that I've made along the way. 

"Cricket has been a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember, it's been all I've ever wanted to do.

"I will always be incredibly proud to be able to say I was a professional cricketer."