English cricketer Stuart Broad surprised fans with his retirement announcement on the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval. On the fourth day, the 37-year-old padded up for the final time to bat in his illustrious 17-year international career. Fellow England pacer James Anderson joined him as they walked down to the ground amid applause from cheering fans at the start of the day’s play.
Australian cricketers formed a guard of honour for their rival, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka way back in 2007. Anderson remained behind the boundary line to allow Stuart Broad to receive his richly deserved honor from their traditional cricketing rival. Delighting his fans, Broad hit a six off Australian pacer Mitchell Starc in his last ball faced with the bat in the longest format of the game, while Anderson wrapped up England’s final innings with his dismissal..
Setting a target of 384 for Australia to win the Ashes final Test, England will be looking for a win to level the Test series. Moreover,a win would be a fitting tribute to Broad.
“Tomorrow or Monday will be my last game of cricket,” Broad told SkySports. “It’s been a wonderful ride, a huge privilege to wear the Nottinghamshire and England badge for as much as I have.”