Essex County Cricket Club can today announce that wicket-keeper batter, Adam Wheater, is set to retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2022 season.
The 32-year-old is an Essex Academy graduate and has made 380 appearances across all formats during his career, scoring 10,876 runs whilst taking 386 catches and recording 64 stumpings.
Wheater made his first-class debut for Essex in 2008 but really cemented his place in the First Team during 2011. In the fifth Championship game of the season, he scored his maiden century for the Club, reaching 164 as Essex swept aside Northamptonshire at Chelmsford.
In 2013 he moved to the South Coast to link up with Hampshire. In his debut season at The Ageas Bowl he impressed with the bat, scoring three Championship centuries and catching the eye for both his glovework and runs.
He averaged 32.10 as Hampshire claimed the Division Two title the following year and also scored his maiden List A century, which came from just 76 balls as he made 135 against Essex at Chelmsford.
After a loan spell back at Chelmsford in 2016, where he helped his boyhood Club secure the Division Two title, Wheater made the move permanent the following year.
In 2017 he was part of the Essex side that won a first County Championship title in 25 years, and two years later, he wrote his name into Essex folk law, playing a significant role as the Club became the first side in history to claim a County Championship and T20 double.
His form carried through to the 2020 campaign, the same year he was awarded his County Cap, in which he averaged 58.20 as the side won the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy at Lord’s.
On his decision to retire, Wheater said: “It’s been a tough call to make, but the timing feels right and I’m pleased to be going out on my own terms.
“I’ve had a great time at both Essex and Hampshire. Not many players get the opportunity to play for their boyhood Club, so to be able to do that has been a dream, and to be able to win the things we’ve won, I couldn’t have asked for more.
“I’m looking forward to whatever comes next, but until then I’m fully committed to helping Anthony McGrath and this side secure more silverware.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the Members, fans, players, staff and everyone associated with the Club for their support over the years. It’s been a great journey and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.”
Essex Cricket Chief Executive & Interim Chair, John Stephenson, added: “I would like to thank Adam for his contribution to Essex County Cricket Club over his two spells with the Club.
“He’s been an excellent performer for this side and has been a big factor in the success we’ve enjoyed over the last six years.”
