I remember watching the final day of the Ashes at the Oval last year, and thinking how brilliantly Stuart Broad had orchestrated his departure from Test cricket: the last Test of the summer, the end of a terrific series, taking the final wicket in an England win. Now Jimmy Anderson, Broad’s great friend and partner with the new ball for his country, has chosen his moment, with a little nudge from Brendon McCullum: England’s next Test, against West Indies at Lord’s in July, will be his last.
A player’s final game is obviously a sad time, but I remember feeling Broad made the moment seem joyful. There will always be a measure of relief there, especially for a seamer. Players put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform – it’s what drives them – and Broad and Anderson have a tremendous intrinsic motivation to do the training, to be disciplined, to always be at their best. Fast bowling is tough physically and you have to be up for it, to cope with the pain and fatigue that comes with long spells and playing Test cricket.
