After the final Ashes Test at the Oval, England pacer Stuart Broad’s gave up playing cricket and told his longtime partner James Anderson that he would follow the rest of his career closely.
On Day 4 of the Test, the pair got the chance to take the pitch to bat one final time. Broad struck a six off his final delivery. In order to help England win by 49 runs and tie the series at two games each, he also took the final two Australian wickets in the Australian run chase.
To the amazement of the cricketing world, Broad had declared his decision to retire at the end of Day 3’s play. Broad spoke with Anderson after the game, according to a transcript provided by England Cricket:
As I remarked the night before, I will be watching the remainder of James Anderson’s career with great pride, enthusiasm, and support. But I’ll hold a beer in my hand rather than a ball (laughs).”
Along with other things, the 37-year-old expressed his regret at most losing the atmosphere in the dressing room as he leaves international cricket. His words were:
Of course, I say. I still feel healthy and thought my summer bowling performance was excellent. The aspect I’ll truly miss is the changing area, though. I’ve played cricket with everyone in the changing room, including the managers and players, as I take in the scene. Being around my pals and the other players there will be missed.
Broad also spoke about England winning Test matches and lacking the completion on the pitch. Added him:
“Will miss the memories there, especially the winning Test matches and the early football. Even though I’ll miss the competitive component, I felt fantastic about my decision and was happy with it.”
Although the Ashes series was lost, Broad finished his career on a high note, finishing second in wicket-taking with 22 victims in the five Tests. During the series, he also passed the 150-wicket threshold in Ashes cricket and joined the 600-wicket club in Test matches. He ranks third in Ashes history and fifth all-time in Test wickets taken.
“2-2 is a decent outcome for both teams.” stuart Broad‘s
Stuart Broad acknowledged that the series score of 2-2 was likely a fair representation of how both sides performed. The experienced pacer thought England dug themselves a hole by slipping behind 0-2 despite regretting the drew Test in Manchester.
“But in the end, you allow no room for mistake or element if you find yourself 2-0 down in the series. But it’s been a joy to be a part of some truly outstanding cricket from us throughout this series. I imagine that 2-2 is a really good outcome for both teams,” Broad remarked.
Australia won the urn for the second time in a row in the Ashes series in England, but fell short of taking the series after dropping the last Test at the Oval. Four of the five Tests saw fortunes change throughout the series, though, and many consider it to be one of the most thrilling Test series ever played.
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