After announcing his retirement from cricket following the final Ashes Test at the Oval, veteran England pacer Stuart Broad promised his long-time teammate James Anderson that he would watch the rest of his career keenly as well. However, the duo walked out to bat one final time in Test cricket on Day 4, with Broad hitting a six off his final delivery with the bat as well. Meanwhile, it wasn’t the end of his fairytale as he also claimed the final two wickets of the Australian run-chase to help England win by 49 runs to level the Ashes 2023 series as well.
In a post-match conversation with Anderson shared by England Cricket, Broad said: “As I said last night, going to watch the rest of your ( James Anderson’s) career with a lot of pride, lot of support and drive for you. But instead of having a ball in hand, I’ll have beer in my hand ( laughs).”
The veteran also opined on missing the dressing room environment the most, among other things, as he walked away from international cricket. Broad also opened up on missing the completion on the field and winning Test matches for England.
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He added: “Yes of course. Still feel fit and felt like I bowled really well this summer. Ultimately it’s the changing room part that I’ll really miss. Looking around all the changing room – management, players, I’ve played so much cricket with everyone in there. I will miss being around my friends and the group of players there. Will miss the moments in there, especially the football in the mornings, will miss the winning of Test matches. Will miss the competitive side but once I made the decision I felt really good about it and feel content.”
Despite not winning the Ashes series, Stuart Broad ended his career with a stunning run, finishing as the second leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps in the five Tests as well. He also entered the 600-wicket club in Tests during the series and the 150-wicket mark in the Ashes series as well. He is also the fifth leading wicket-taker in Tests all-time and third in the history of Ashes.
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“But ultimately if you leave yourself 2-0 down in the series, you leave no room for error or element. But we really have played some brilliant cricket throughout this series and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of. Probably think 2-2 is a pretty good result for both teams,” concluded Stuart Broad.
