England’s fast bowler Stuart Broad puts a full stop to his 17-year-long career with a unique record in his kitty. He signed off in style at the Oval on Monday when he featured for the last time on the field as England’s bowler on the fourth day of the 5th Ashes Test. He stunned everyone when he announced about his decision to retire at the stumps of Day 3. However, the entire cricket fraternity & his fans respected his decision. In fact, his teammates did something special to make Broad’s last fixture memorable for him. When Broad walked to bat on day 4 he received rousing applause from the crowd while the opponents gave him a ‘guard of honor’ for his exemplary contribution in World Cricket.
What Unique Record did Stuart Broad make in the last match of his Career?
Adding to the essence of the moment, Broad smashed the very first ball of the day which was Starc’s delivery for a six. He also picked up the last wicket of the Australian innings when Alex Carey edged his delivery to wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow. With this wicket, Stuart Broad sealed a glorious victory for his team. In the process, Broad became the first player in the history of Test Cricket to smash a six & take a wicket on the final ball of his career. Stuart Broad also occupies fifth spot on the list of most number of sixes by an England batter in test format smashing the ball 55 times. Stuart Broad ends his illustrious career as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in Test format with 604 wickets. He is also the second-highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers behind James Anderson. Further, Broad also owns two hat-tricks to his name which adds to his record’s kitty.
Broad ended his career as the second-highest wicket-taker in Ashes 2023
Stuart Broad left no stone unturned to make the last Test of his Career special by scalping 22 wickets in five fixtures of Ashes 2023 making him the second-highest wicket-taker of the series. Australia’s Mitchell Starc is the first-highest wicket-taker of Ashes 2023 with 23 wickets in his kitty.
How did Stuart Broad bowled the last overs of his career?
After scalping wickets of Usman Khawaja & Travis Head in the first innings of the fifth Test, Broad went wicketless in the second innings. However, in the third session on Day 5, England was just two wickets behind a win & Stokes found Broad as the perfect candidate to guide the team toward a victory. Broad was entrusted with the responsibility of fetching those wickets & winning the fixture. And Broad fulfilled team management’s expectations by ending his career with a remarkable spell of 2/22 in 6.4 overs and won the game for his side to level the series 2-2.
Stuart Broad is the only second fast bowler who breached the 600 Test wickets mark. Broad also ends his career as the second-highest wicket-taker among pacers with 602 wickets in his kitty. He is one of the most prolific all-rounders with 4000+ International Runs & 800+ Test wickets. The list of Stuart Broad’s accolades is endless & this unique record adds one more feather to his Cap. Broad will begin the second innings of his Career in broadcasting as a commentator.
Also read, Stuart Broad set for Broadcasting debut after Retirement
