Ashes 2023: Stuart Broad to retire from cricket at end of Oval Test

England veteran fast bowler Stuart Broad has decided to retire from cricket at the end of the fifth and final Ashes Test match against Australia. Broad has decided to pull down the curtains on his 17-year International career.

The lanky paceman took the decision to hang his boots on Friday and told his teammates on Saturday (Day 3 of the fifth Test). Broad was given a standing ovation by the Oval crowd when he came out to bat for the last time on the third day’s play.

Broad is the second most successful fast bowler (after James Anderson in terms of wickets) in the history of Test cricket, with 602 wickets in 167 Test matches with one more inning yet to come. Moreover, Broad has scored 3656 runs in his Test career, with the best of 169 against Pakistan.

The veteran pacer has taken 20 wickets in nine innings of the ongoing Ashes so far at an average of 28.15. Furthermore, he completed the landmark of 600 Test wickets during the fourth Test match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Broad is England’s most successful bowler against Australia in the Ashes, taking a total of 151 wickets thus far. The experienced pacer had overtaken Sir Ian Botham’s tally of 149 wickets in the fourth Test match.

“It’s been a wonderful ride, a huge privilege to wear the Nottinghamshire and the England badge as much as I have,” Broad told Sky Sports at the close of the third day’s play. “And, I’m loving cricket as much as I ever have. It’s been such a wonderful series to be a part of, and I’ve always wanted to finish at the top. And this series just feels like it’s been one of the most enjoyable and entertaining I’ve been a part of.”

Broad revealed he was contemplating the decision to call time on his international career and wanted to play his last Test match in the Ashes.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, a few weeks,” he added. “England vs Australia has always been the pinnacle for me – I have loved the battles with Australia that have come my way and the team’s way, I have a love affair with Ashes and I think I wanted my last bat and bowl to be in Ashes cricket.

“I told Stokesy last night and told the changing room this morning and to be honest, it just felt the right time and I didn’t want friends or Nottinghamshire team-mates to see things that might come out, so I prefer to just say it now, and just give it a good crack for the last Australia innings.

“I have thought a lot about it, and even up till 8 pm last night, I was 50/50. But when I went up to Stokesy’s room and told him, I have felt really happy, since and content with everything I have achieved.”

Broad will want to end his career on a high as England are in a commanding position and he will play a key role with the ball in the second innings. The hosts ended the third day’s play at 389-9, leading by 377 runs.