There was a fairytale ending for England pacer Stuart Broad as he claimed the final two wickets of Australia to seal victory for England in the fifth Test of an unforgettable Ashes series.
In a grand finale to his illustrious cricketing career, Stuart Broad led England to a thrilling 49-run victory in the final Ashes Test at The Oval in London on Monday. Playing in his farewell match, Broad showcased his mastery, claiming the crucial final two Australian wickets to level the series.
The veteran paceman made sure Australia’s hopes of an Ashes win on English soil since 2001 were dashed. Todd Murphy fell victim to Broad’s crafty bowling, caught behind by wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow, while Alex Carey’s resistance was brought to an end by an impeccable outswinger just five runs later, setting off exuberant celebrations throughout the stadium.
Only two days after announcing his retirement, the 37-year-old Broad scripted a perfect swansong. His remarkable career ended with 604 wickets from 167 Tests, making him the second-highest wicket-taker among pace bowlers, second only to his England teammate James Anderson, who boasts 690 wickets from 183 Tests.
Reflecting on the memorable victory, Broad expressed his joy, praising the contributions of Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali, whose performances set the tone for the team’s success. The overwhelming support of the roaring crowd fueled England’s belief, leading to a spirited comeback.
Taking the last wicket to secure an Ashes Test win in his final match was a dream come true for Broad, who relished the special moment. Captain Ben Stokes also lauded Broad’s pivotal role in the triumph, especially the strategic move of switching around the bails at the non-striker’s end to disrupt the batsmen’s concentration and clinch the decisive wicket.
