Anurag Kumar
Stuart Broad, a veteran fast bowler for England, has declared that the fifth Ashes Test will be his “last game of cricket,” bringing an end to an illustrious career in which he became only the second fast bowler and fourth bowler overall to capture over 600 wickets in the format. Broad will finish his tenure as England’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test history, trailing only his longtime teammate and pace partner James Anderson.
“Tomorrow or Monday will be my last game of cricket,” announced Broad on Sky Sports Cricket following the third day of play at the Oval on Saturday. “This has been an incredible journey. A tremendous honour to have worn the Nottinghamshire and England ensemble as frequently as I have. I am as passionate about cricket as I’ve ever been, and I’ve always desired to conclude in first place. This series is among the most pleasant entertainment I’ve ever experienced,” he said.
While Broad has stated that he is retiring from cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has stated that he has resigned from Test cricket. “Stuart Broad has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to his illustrious 17-year international career,” it stated.
Broad stated that he made the decision to retire “around 8:30 p.m. last night” after two weeks of deliberation. He informed team captain Ben Stokes on Friday night and the rest of his teammates the next morning. “I had been contemplating it for a few weeks. For me, England versus Australia has been the pinnacle. I have enjoyed fighting against Australia. I am infatuated with the Ashes, and I wanted that to be my final stroke and bowl. I informed Stokesy last night and the locker room this morning. “The timing felt right,” he said.
An all-time great
Broad made his international début against Pakistan in a Twenty20 International on August 28, 2006. Two of his victims contributed to England’s five-wicket defeat. While he was famously hit for six sixes in an over by Yuvraj Singh in a 2007 T20 World Cup match against India a year later, Broad’s reputation continued to rise and he began his illustrious Test career against Sri Lanka on December 9, 2007 in Colombo. Broad claimed one wicket in the form of Chaminda Vaas in the match that ended in a draw in which England bowled only once.
Broad participated in 56 T20Is between 2006 and 2014, accumulating 65 wickets, and 121 ODIs between 2006 and 2016, accumulating 178 scalps. He was a member of the England team that won the T20 World Cup in 2010.
However, Broad’s Test cricket statistics are the most instructive. He currently has 602 wickets, a number he could add to at the Oval as England attempts to prevent Australia from defeating them at home for the first time since 2001. He has claimed 845 wickets throughout his international career. This week, in his final game at The Oval, Broad claimed his 150th Ashes wicket, joining Anderson as the only two fast bowlers in history to surpass 600 Test wickets for their country.
Broad’s career has been inextricably linked to the Ashes. His combative nature has frequently prompted the Australian media to label him “Public Enemy No. 1.” He is England’s leading wicket-taker against Australia, having become the first player from his nation to surpass 150 in the contest. His current total is 151, and he still has a chance to surpass Glenn McGrath’s record of 157. He is currently the third highest wicket-taker in Ashes history, behind McGrath and the late Shane Warne, who claimed 195 wickets.
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His career-defining spell occurred in the 2015 Ashes at Trent Bridge, his domestic home ground, when he claimed 8/15 in 9.3 overs to dismiss Australia for 60. Broad’s eight five-wicket hauls are the most by an England player in the Ashes since before World War I.
