London, June 5 (IANS): England wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter on Friday announced his premature retirement from professional cricket following the serious eye injury he suffered last season.

According to the England Cricket Board (ECB) website, the 27-year-old said he had made the decision after being given time away from the game, adding that mentally he will never again be the player that he was.

Kieswetter was struck in the face by a short ball from Northamptonshire all-rounder David Willey during a domestic match last summer and required surgery on a fractured eye socket.

He returned to play county side Somerset’s final two games last summer, but realised his vision was still impaired while playing Twenty20 cricket in South Africa during the winter.

“After being given the opportunity to take some time off and step away from the game, I’ve come to the decision that wasn’t the easiest to make, yet I feel is the right one,” Kieswetter said.

“Having gone through that experience of my eye injury and everything it entailed, I feel mentally I will never again be the player that I was.”

Kieswetter made 46 One-Day International (ODI) and 25 Twenty20 International appearances for England, highlighted by being named Man of the Match in the 2010 World Twenty20 final success over Australia in the West Indies.

"I have had a terrific career, with plenty of ups and occasional downs, and I am calling time on my career and walking away with no regrets,” he said.