Stuart Broad says taking a wicket to win an Ashes Test match with the final delivery of his career will “make me smile for the rest of my life” as the England great prepares to ride off into the sunset.
Broad announced his retirement from cricket on the third evening of the Fifth Test and could not have dreamt of a more perfect farewell, as he claimed the final two wickets to fall in England’s 49-run win at the Oval.
Victory for Ben Stokes’s side earned a 2-2 series draw, with Australia retaining the Urn but missing out on a first outright series victory in England in 22 years, despite having won the first two Tests.
Chasing 384 for victory, the tourists were firm favourites at 264 for three, but lost their final seven wickets for just 70 runs as Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali broke the game open and set the platform for Broad’s finale.
“It’s been so special to walk off with a great group of friends,” said Broad, who also hit a six off the final ball of his last batting innings on day four. “Ultimately, I wanted to leave the game loving it, and loving the environment and my memories of playing cricket are going to be pretty cool.
“Taking those last two wickets proved to me that I still loved taking wickets because I just ran around like a headless chicken. I still have that emotion and love for winning Test matches.
“To take a wicket to win an Ashes Test match being my final ball was something that will make me smile for the rest of my life.”
Broad finishes his career with 604 Test wickets, the second-most prolific English bowler of all-time, behind only his long-time partner James Anderson. He also walks away as England’s leading wicket-taker in Ashes cricket, with 153 poles against Australia, 22 of those coming in his final series.
“For me, Stuart’s more than a person I walk out with,” England captain Ben Stokes said. “I’ve played a lot of cricket with him, there’s only a handful of Test matches he hasn’t played in that I have done.
“When he announced his retirement and I told my wife this was going to be my last game, she was like: ‘Broady’s the one who messages me saying Ben’s got home safe after a big night out after we’ve won a Test match’. She doesn’t have that anymore, it’ll be someone else. Probably Rooty.
“He’s an inspiration to many people who want to make a career out of cricket and being a fast bowler. He’s been incredible. I know people will always look back on certain moments in his career but he’s better than that. He has produced sensational moments on the field but you can’t pigeonhole him as someone who only produces certain things at certain moments, because 604 Test wickets is something he should be very proud of.”
