Stuart Broad was a great bowler for England, and he recently retired after the fifth test of the Ashes 2023. He was controversial at times, but he also achieved a lot in his career. He entered the 600+ wicket club, making him one of the greats to play Test cricket. He had 37 four-wicket hauls, 21 five-wicket hauls, 13 fifties, and a solitary century to his name. He was an important part of the English team, and he leaves a big void to fill.
Also read: Cricketers who achieved the feat of 3000 runs and 400 wickets in Test Cricket
‘Not a real Ashes’
Stuart Broad caused a big stir before the first Test at Edgbaston of the ongoing Ashes 2023. In his mind, Australia’s 4-0 series win in 2020-21 was “void” as that series didn’t feel like a real Ashes. England lost four out of five Tests in 2021-22, and only wet weather in Sydney saved them from a third series whitewash in 15 years. Broad said the quarantine period and the bubble situation made it not a true contest. He wrote for England’s Daily Mail that “nothing about that series had high-level performance because of the COVID restrictions. “I agree. The quarantine period and the bubble situation made it not a true contest. It’s a void series.”
Ball tampering controversy
Stuart Broad was embroiled in controversy once again in 2010. During the third day’s play of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, television pictures captured him appearing to put the spikes of his boot into the ball. Broad was seen on the footage stopping a rolling ball with the bottom of his boot and then appearing to step hard on it. These actions led to allegations that the England bowlers were using illegal methods to gain reverse swing earlier in the first innings, which was further intensified by James Anderson’s five-for.
Not walking off even after edging the ball
Stuart Broad’s most controversial moment occurred 10 years ago during the first Test of the 2013 Ashes at Trent Bridge. He was involved in one of the most infamous moments in Ashes history when he was given not out by umpire Aleem Dar despite edging left-arm spinner Ashton Agar’s delivery. The ball hit Brad Haddin‘s gloves and then went into the hands of Michael Clarke in the slip cordon. The Australian players started to celebrate, but Dar gave the batsman not out, and Broad didn’t walk off either. The seemingly nonchalant reaction of Stuart Broad led to him facing severe criticism in Australia and being constantly booed by the Australian crowds during the next Ashes series. Broad has no regrets about not walking and shared why he decided to do so. He told ESPNcricinfo that he wouldn’t change it for anything.
