Legendary English bowler Stuart Broad disclosed the motivation for his decision to retire from professional cricket following the 2023 Ashes in a talk with former player AB de Villiers. The 37-year-old stated that he wanted to leave the game on a positive note rather than when future batters could think his bowling was “rubbish.”
Stuart Broad, who has an amazing 604 wickets from 167 Test matches at an average of 27.68, 20 five-fers, and three 10-wicket match hauls to his credit, revealed that the decision was made in an effort to continue playing competitively and for the love of the game. He made it clear,
“I wanted to come out on top. One of my greatest worries, I almost feel, is bowling against 20-year-old opening batters and having them remark, “I heard he was good, but he’s rubbish.”
Stuart Broad stated on ABD’s YouTube channel, “I knew I wanted to finish while I can still do it.
The ex-England bowler expressed his worry about avoiding an extended retirement or ending his career on a downer owing to an injury, as his decision-making process was motivated by his desire to complete his trip on a high rather than giving in to circumstances.
He said, “I never wanted the feeling of passing away six months too soon or having a torn hamstring be my final performance on a cricket field and never being seen again.
With 153 wickets from 40 games and an average of 28.96, Stuart Broad led England in Ashes wicket-taking and appreciated the exhilarating conclusion to his career. He secured a 2-2 series draw against Australia in the last Ashes 2023 Test at The Oval by taking the final two wickets. He said with humility,
“I never imagined it could have culminated in the fairy tale that it did, actually taking a wicket with the last ball to win a Test match,” the author says. He acknowledged that the feeling hadn’t entirely sank in despite the bizarre occasion and remained grounded.
India
