Australia give Stuart Broad guard of honour ahead of his final Test after England legend announced his retirement… before the legendary bowler hits his last-ever ball for six!
- Stuart Broad received a guard of honour before play today at the Oval
- The England legend, aged 37, announced his decision to retire on a high
- It has been a history-making summer for him in his last-ever Test series
Stuart Broad received a guard of honour from Australia before play today at the Oval ahead of his retirement from cricket.
The England legend is playing his final Test as the hosts look to draw the series, although the visitors have already retained the urn.
Broad announced his retirement from cricket yesterday and will become part of Sky Sports’ cricket coverage team.
The 37-year-old decided to go out on a high rather than tour India in early 2024.
Although Australia have retained the Ashes, his summer has been one of personal achievement for Broad as he became only the second seamer in history to reach 600 Test wickets.
Stuart Broad received a guard of honour ahead of play on day four of the fifth Test of the Ashes
The England legend is retiring so he can go out on a high and spend time with his family
In his column for the Mail on Sunday, Broad wrote: ‘People will ask why now, and to be honest, ultimately, I really wanted to go out at the top of my own game and in an England versus Australia Test.
‘What a feeling it would have been to be on that stage this week lifting the urn — and the fact we won’t be is probably why, deep down, I felt so sad in Manchester last weekend.
‘It’s also nice to have some control over your destiny and at 37 you are just a hamstring tear away from someone else telling you it is the end.’
He wrote, too, of wanting to be present for his new daughter Annabella and spend time at home with his partner Mollie, who he thanked for supporting him during his career.
The iconic bowler has had many fantastic moments playing for his country.
Taking 8-15 against the old enemy to secure the Ashes at Nottingham in 2015 will stand for years as one of the defining moments in his career arc, and indeed in English cricketing history.
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