June 21, 2007
Ronnie Irani Retires From First-Class Cricket
Essex Captain Ronnie Irani has announced his retirement from first-class cricket with immediate effect.
Further to the recent statement that Ronnie would stop playing at the end of this season, subsequent consultation with Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt has shown more serious damage from a recent knee injury than initially feared.
Muller-Wolfahrt’s expert opinion is that to carry on any form of professional sport at this point would serverly affect Ronnie’s lifestyle and health and that his career should therefore end immediately.
Following an MRI scan in Munich in May and further examinations in June the German specialist arrived at his prognosis:
“Ronnie Irani obtained an injury to his right knee during the (Championship) game against Leicestershire (at Grace Road) on 19th May 2007; he slipped and twisted his knee and felt at once an acute sharp pain to the inside of his right knee.
“(In conclusion) because of this fresh acute injury I have recommended to Ronnie to stop his professional sports activities immediately.”
Ronnie Irani gave the following statement to the Essex CCC website (www.essexcricket.org.uk):
“I’m naturally disappointed that things are ending this way. I was hoping to swallow this bitter pill at the end of the season but unfortunately the end of my playing career has come earlier than anticipated.
“I feel that I still have a duty to finish off the season on the sidelines with Essex and hopefully have a small part to play in helping the team during the remainder of the campaign.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with Essex County Cricket Club from the Committee to the members and supporters to the players.”
Ronnie will do a lap of honour to show his appreciation of the Essex supporters during the interval of Friday night’s Twenty20 Cup match between Essex Eagles and Sussex Sharks at The Ford County Ground.
