Stuart Broad. (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Stuart Broad, the revered paceman, sealed his final international match in grand fashion. With a remarkable tally of 604 Test wickets, he departed from the cricketing stage, leaving a profound impact. The culmination of his career witnessed a thrilling spectacle, as he relentlessly ran in for his last spell, bowling with unwavering dedication, and securing victory for his country.
Bowling his signature stock delivery, the scrambled seam length, the ball swerved away, prompting an edge, and Bairstow made a routine catch. Broad’s celebratory airplane gesture was a poignant symbol of England’s jubilation, commemorating an illustrious career.
Earlier On Day 5, the pursuit of a daunting 384-run target saw Australia make a respectable start, with David Warner’s early dismissal at the total score of 140, courtesy of Chris Woakes’ delivery. Subsequently, the loss of Khawaja and Labuschagne put Australia at 169 for 3. However, a partnership between Steven Smith and Travis Head took Australia to 238-3 at lunch and brought the match into equilibrium, teetering on a knife’s edge. The post-lunch session was washed out by persistent rain, leading to an early tea break.
As the rain subsided, hopes of resuming the game flickered back to life. The third session commenced with the equation at 146 runs for Australia and 7 wickets for England needed to win the Test. Moeen Ali’s spin magic dismantled two aggressive batters, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh. Meanwhile, showcasing his outstanding Ashes performance, Chris Woakes dealt a crucial blow, securing Steven Smith’s wicket. Subsequently, Woakes dismissed Mitchell Starc, taking his fourth wicket, and Moeen Ali took the wicket of Australian Captain Pat Cummins, claiming the eighth wicket of Australia.
As the game hung in the balance, Alex Carey and Todd Murphy displayed composure at the crease and looked like they will win or draw the match for Australia. However, fate had other plans, as Stuart Broad graced the pitch for his final Ashes spell.
With surgical precision, he dismissed Todd Murphy, followed by Alex Carey, scripting a poetic exit from international cricket. While England could not claim the Ashes victory, they concluded the series at 2-2, as Australia retained the coveted trophy.
In the wake of Stuart Broad’s special performances, Twitter erupted in a chorus of farewells, bidding adieu to a cricketing legend whose impact will forever be etched in the annals of the sport.
Here is how Twitter reacted to England’s win in the last Ashes Test:
That is a capitulation from Australia, but fantastic bowling from England #Ashes
— Darren Murphy 🏏 (@MrDMurphy) July 31, 2023
Still gutted that Broad’s gone. He invented swapping the bails to take a wicket in his last Test, FFS. He had so much more to give us. #Ashes
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) July 31, 2023
Unbelievable scenes! A proper send off for Stuart Broad 🙌🏼 This was one of the best #Ashes series ever tho
— Chad Savagaon (@csavagaon) July 31, 2023
Last ball faced: 6.. last ball bowled: wicket 🤩
Not many get to write their own script like that @StuartBroad8, wow! What an incredible career.. congratulations 👏🏻🏴
— Kate Cross (@katecross16) July 31, 2023
Cricket is a game for narratives isn’t it
Had to be Stuart Broad with the final wicket of the ashes and his career in a fitting winning moment 🙌🏾
— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) July 31, 2023
Congratulations to Australia and England on a fantastic series 👏🏻👏🏻 I guess the lesson here is there’s no one way to play cricket. As long as you get the job done. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/mVEeqz60mv
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 31, 2023
What a series!!!
Fitting end @StuartBroad8 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) July 31, 2023
604💙
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) July 31, 2023
From being 2-0 down to drawing level, England’s tenacity in this #Ashes series is a tribute to the beauty of Test cricket. The ability to rebound demonstrates the depth of character and the mental fortitude this format demands. Mother Nature might have denied us a series result,… pic.twitter.com/oOn9XgV6BC
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 31, 2023
How good is ashes cricket!!! 🔥
— Ryan Burl (@ryanburl3) July 31, 2023
This really is one of the greatest series .. The best format showing off once again .. #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 31, 2023