Cricketer 'looked forward' to leg amputation

An amateur cricketer who had to have his leg amputated said the surgery has given him a "whole different lease of life".

Isaac Elles, who plays for Great Waltham, Essex, had life-changing surgery to prevent a blood-vessel disorder worsening in April.

The 21-year-old told everyone he was "looking forward" to having his leg amputated so he could return to playing.

But four months on from surgery, he said: "It turned out to be an amazing operation, very successful and I've been in little to no pain with the leg post surgery."

But he was unable to train during the winter due to the arteriovenous malformation (AVM) he has lived with on his toe since the age of three.

AVMs occur when blood flows directly from an artery into a vein, instead of passing through capillaries, and can cause deadly bleeds and strokes.

Elles told Victoria Polley on BBC Essex's Around the Wicket show that the surgery has had a huge impact on his mental health.

The prosthetic leg, funded by the NHS, has allowed him to coach more cricket teams at the club. He said he is excited to get up on the pitch.

"I went out and played golf, going out for lunch, going to see my friends instead of staying in my room bored using however many painkillers I was on - it's just given me a whole different lease of life."

Elles' return to the pitch depends on him raising £80,000 for a specialist prosthetic limb. He has so far raised roughly £36,000.

"I'm just trying to get as much money as possible to try and get the leg that I can probably perform on way better and get back to playing again which is really exciting.

"I feel like I'm missing something which is obviously being on that pitch with them, I'm looking forward to it so much."

His prosthetic leg fundraiser has been supported by friends, family and rival cricket clubs.

Great Waltham Cricket Club is holding a fundraiser on Sunday to raise money for the specialist leg.

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