Australia pacer John Hastings has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after being warned by doctors that he could bleed to death if he continued to bowl.

Only last month, the veteran had revealed that he was suffering from a mystery ailment that caused blood vessels in his lungs to collapse while bowling.

“There was just a lot of grey area surrounding long-term health, whether it was causing any damage, and if there was any potential to have a fatal bleed on the field,” Hastings was quoted as saying the The Age.

“They (doctors) just really couldn’t say yes or no. And I wasn’t happy with that.

It’s (only) when I bowl. The pressure at the crease, little blood vessels in my lungs burst. That determines that I cough up blood on a regular basis when I’m trying to bowl. It’s a really scary thing.”

The Aussie bowler has been unable to find a cause for the ailment despite several tests and operations over the years and has now taken the decision to bring down the curtains over his playing career.

The 33-year-old had last year announced his retirement from the ODI and Test formats but continued to play T20 cricket, leading Melbourne Stars in the 2017 Big Bash League (BBL) edition.

Despite having a contract with the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming BBL edition, Hastings will not be participating in the tournament.

“I would have loved a Big Bash title. That would have been unbelievable because I think it’s an amazing competition,” he stated.

Having played one Test, 29 ODIs and nine T20s for Australia over the course of his career, Hastings now plans to pursue a career in media as well as open a cafe in Melbourne.