Brad Wheal: Battling Back

Not many players know injury struggles at Hampshire like Brad Wheal, as the right arm seamer suffered yet another back injury at the beginning of the year which saw him miss all that the season had to offer in 2019.

Wheal, whose last game for Hampshire was against Somerset in May 2018 understands the implications of a severe injury, having suffered the exact same one the year before.

“This is the second time I’ve have a stress fracture in my back, unfortunately it was the same one as last year but it happens.

“Young fast bowlers get these kinds of injuries and although it wasn’t expected and it’s been tough, it’s not the end of the world.”

The Scotland international has experienced the pain of watching his teammates excel out in the middle for the best part of two seasons now, and found it easy to pinpoint the word that has summed up that period.

“It’s been frustrating, incredibly frustrating!

“It’s honestly one of the hardest things in the world and not everyone understands, you’re coming in everyday to do your gym stuff and seeing the guys out there on the field.

“Watching Abbo (Kyle Abbott) take 17 wickets from the side-lines was incredible, but I just wish I could’ve been out there to be a part of it.”

The 23-year-old has spent the majority of his season in the gym, rehabbing to ensure his injury shows no signs of returning, an intense journey back to full fitness that he impressively recalls in detail.

“I started off pretty low key, with this sort of injury I’ve had to take abit of time off to de-stress my body. Since then I’ve been doing lots of low-level gym stuff and trying to build the base to get bowling again.

“Now I’m doing lots of running and back into bowling now so it’s taken a long time but we’re slowly getting there.”

Edging ever closer to his 24^th birthday, Wheal hasn’t set his ambitions too high when it comes to making his return from injury next season.

“All I want to do is stay fit. If I can break into the first team, earn a spot there and stay there that would be amazing.

“I feel like I’ve been pretty unlucky with injuries over the last few years, every time I have broken into the team, I’m on a high and it just comes crashing back down with another injury.

“So, if I can stay fit and show what everyone I can do, I’ll be very happy with that.”

The best way to catch Brad and the rest of the Hampshire squad in action all year long next season is with a 2020 Hampshire Cricket Membership and there’s never been a better time to join or renew.

More information on each Membership offering can be found online via the link above, over the phone on 0844 847 1863 or in person at the The Ageas Bowl Ticket Office (Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm).