England pacer Stuart Broad has announced his decision to retire from the sport at the end of the ongoing Ashes Test.
Broad called time on his 17-year career at the end of Day 3 of the final Ashes Test at The Oval.
“Tomorrow or Monday will be my last game of cricket,” Broad said. “It’s been a wonderful ride, a huge privilege to wear the Nottinghamshire and England badge for as much as I have.
“I’ve always wanted to finish at the top, and this series just feels like it’s been one of the most enjoyable I’ve been part of.”
Broad revealed he’d come to the decision on Friday evening. “I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of weeks…England versus Australia has always been sort of the pinnacle for me.
“I’ve loved the battles with Australia that have come my way personally, and the team’s way. I’ve got a love affair with Ashes cricket, and I think I wanted my last bat and bowl to be on Ashes cricket.”
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Broad, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2007, will go down as one of the great pacers in the sport – he sits at fifth on the all-time list of wicket-takers, and is one of only two fast bowlers to take over 600 wickets, alongside long-time bowling partner Jimmy Anderson.
Test cricket has been a happy hunting ground for the English pacer. He is the only English player with two hat-tricks to his name in Test cricket. His finest hour in Test cricket came against his arch-rivals Australia when put himself in cricketing folklore with a stunning 8/15 at Trent Bridge in 2015.
Broad was still firing at all cylinders even at 37 years of age but decided to call time on his career while he was still at the top of his game, informing his decision to the captain last night.
“He (Ben Stokes) really understood the decision,” Broad added. I wanted to make sure I was really clear in my mind that I wasn’t going in for a negotiation, so I need to be clear before I mention it to anyone.
“I have played a long time, I have been bowling very well. My body feels great. I could have carried on but it felt like the right time.”
