A thrilling Ashes series deserved a dramatic conclusion and that’s exactly what happened when England won by 49 runs at The Oval to level the series.
Well, every cricketer’s last match is memorable but the example of Sahaga on gold is very rare that a player makes it memorable because of his performance.
When England’s 38-year-old fast bowler Stuart Broad announced at the Oval on the third day of the final match of the Ashes Test series that this would be the last Test match of his career, all eyes were on him.
England, who were one match down in the series, were desperately looking for a victory at the Oval to level the series, if not the Ashes title.
Stuart Broad, who has been a part of England’s many victories, seemed to be trying till the last ball to become the Alexander of destiny in the closing moments of this match.
According to the website Cricinfo, his blond hair and baby-faced beauty may give an innocent impression, but there have been few cricketers in England’s Test history more belligerent than Stewart Broad.
Broad’s desire was not alone but also shared by thousands of spectators sitting in the Oval Ground and cricket fans around the world. He wanted to see a beautiful ending to Broad’s last match.
Broad’s joy was palpable when he caught Alex Carey out on his famous in-swing ball. The entire stadium gave Broad a standing ovation. This wicket of his had announced the victory of England and the series was even.
Although the fifth and final Test was affected by rain, England’s lead was maintained throughout the five days of the match and fans were already expecting England to win the match.
England’s first innings though was not so good. The entire team was bowled out for 283 with Harry Brook’s 85 being the top score.
In reply, Australia’s batting was also troublesome. Although Steven Smith’s 71 gave them a 12-run lead, England’s second innings was a bit better.
Zach Crawley, who was the highest run-scorer in the series, scored 73 runs, while Joe Root’s 91 and Jonny Bairstow’s 78 gave the team a total score of 395.
Australia were given a target of 384 runs to win the final Test. It was not easy, but the opening partnership of David Warner and Usman Khawaja troubled England.
On the fifth day, although England got their first win, Australia’s batting continued to chase the target during which Smith batted brilliantly and took the score to 274.
It looked like Australia would win the match but rain stopped the game. When it resumed, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali revived England’s hopes with back-to-back dismissals of the Kangaroos.
Alex Carey and Murphy tried to resist in the last minute but Broad, who was playing his last match, bowled brilliantly and got both caught out by Bairstow behind the wicket to give England a 49-run win in their last match.
Australia won the two Ashes Tests at Birmingham and Lord’s while England won at Leeds and The Oval. The Manchester Test was drawn.
Stuart Broad’s last Test
Broad started his career in Sri Lanka in 2007 where he could take only one wicket but his arrival in the Ashes came in 2009.
He took 604 wickets in 167 matches.
Broad, who took five wickets 20 times in his career and three times more than ten wickets in a match.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
His best bowling performance was against Australia in Nottingham in 2015 when he took eight wickets for 15 runs. Apart from this, if one examines his four best bowling spells, six wickets for 17 runs against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2016 are seen.
Against Australia in 2013, he took six wickets for 22 runs.
His memorable bowling was his five wickets for just five runs against India at Trent Bridge in 2011. He also scored a hat trick in the same match.
His six-wicket performance against West Indies in 2020 is also memorable when he completed 500 wickets in that match.
Broad also took 178 wickets in ODIs.
Broad’s words were: ‘I’ve had a love affair with the Ashes all my life and the thought of playing my last ball against Australia gives me joy.’
Broad is the only England bowler to take two Test hat-tricks, joining India’s MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar in 2011 with 46 for six off consecutive balls and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal And dismissed Shaminda Eringa in quick succession.
He did not fail in batting either. 3662 runs were scored with a century.
One of the reasons Broad is famous for his bowling is Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over. He also captained England for some time.
Like his father, former Test cricketer Chris Broad, 37-year-old Stuart Broad will always be remembered for his unparalleled career. His distinctive in-swing bowling was a natural talent which he painstakingly honed and played a vital role in England’s victory.
Although he is still very fit and can play more, he has decided to retire while Jimmy Anderson, a fast bowler four years his senior, has no intention of quitting Test cricket at present.
Marcus Trescothick said fairy tales don’t happen often in the game, but Broad took the last two wickets to take his final Test wicket tally to 604.
England may regain the Ashes after this series but it may take a long time to find and carve out a player like Bray.
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#Stuart #Broads #Test #career
**Interview with Cricket Historian and Commentator, Sarah Thompson**
**Host**: Welcome, Sarah! It’s a pleasure to have you here to discuss the thrilling conclusion of the Ashes series and the retirement of Stuart Broad. What were your thoughts as Broad announced his retirement during such a pivotal match?
**Sarah Thompson**: Thank you for having me! It was certainly a bittersweet moment in cricket. For fans, there was this palpable sense of excitement—after all, watching a player like Broad, on his last day, wanting to go out with a bang, is something special. His announcement added layers of emotion to an already thrilling match.
**Host**: Indeed. Broad’s performance was outstanding, particularly his final wickets which seemed to seal the match for England. What do you think it meant for him to take those crucial wickets in his last match?
**Sarah Thompson**: It was poetic in many ways. Stuart Broad has had a remarkable career, and ending it by also securing a win for England at The Oval must have been immensely satisfying. The wicket of Alex Carey, caught behind, was almost a cinematic moment. The standing ovation he received was well-deserved—this is a player who has given so much to English cricket.
**Host**: Broad’s statistics are undoubtedly impressive: over 600 Test wickets and countless memorable performances. In your opinion, what are some of his standout achievements?
**Sarah Thompson**: Broad’s best bowling figures in a single innings—eight for 15 against Australia in 2015—are monumental. He’s known not just for his wicket-taking ability but also for his bravery. His performances during the Ashes, particularly the aggressive bowling spells, have defined him as a vital player in England’s cricket history. And let’s not forget his hat trick against India, which is one of those magical moments that fans cherish.
**Host**: He certainly left an indelible mark on the game. How do you see Broad’s legacy impacting the future of English cricket?
**Sarah Thompson**: His legacy is multifaceted. Beyond the statistics, Broad has inspired a generation of bowlers. His love for the game, particularly the Ashes, is something that resonates deeply with young cricketers. He’s shown them that grit, determination, and the ability to perform on the biggest stages matter the most. I wouldn’t be surprised if future bowlers look up to him as a benchmark for excellence in fast bowling.
**Host**: Lastly, what will you personally remember most about Stuart Broad?
**Sarah Thompson**: For me, it will be his tenacity and flair. Despite his formidable presence on the field, Broad has always approached the game with a sense of joy and passion. His rivalry with the Australian players has added an extra dimension to Ashes series, and his ability to come through in tight situations has made him a fan favorite. The cricketing world will definitely feel his absence.
**Host**: Thank you, Sarah. It’s been wonderful to get your insights on Stuart Broad and his incredible career.
**Sarah Thompson**: Thank you! It’s been a joy discussing such an important player in cricket history.
