‘I wouldn’t change it for anything’ – Stuart Broad recalls not walking at Trent Bridge despite edging to first slip

Stuart Broad. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Over ten years ago, former England bowler Stuart Broad found himself in the middle of one of the most controversial incidents that have taken place in Ashes history. When the Australian players appealed for Broad’s dismissal during the first match of the 2013 Ashes at Trent Bridge when he edged Ashton Agar to Michael Clarke at first slip, an unfazed Broad stood in the middle amid all the furore around him.

The Australian team immediately started to rejoice; however, umpire Aleem Dar declared it was not out, and Broad didn’t walk off and stood there.

English fans relished England’s 14-run success against Australia at Trent Bridge during the opening Test of the 2013 series, from Ian Bell’s stunning second-innings hundred to Ashton Agar’s tragic 98 to James Anderson’s relentless ten-for on a conducive pitch. Regardless of such great performances, the incident that truly stands out, from an Australian viewpoint, is the one that got off. Or, as certain England admirers prefer to call it, the incident that Stuart Broad got away with.

The English cricketer was under criticism for refusing to get off the field when he knew he was out. Broad, however, has absolutely no guilt for it and provided the reason why he preferred not to walk off in that critical situation. The 37-year-old mentioned that the team was in a precarious position and he needed to be there in the middle.

I nicked it straight to first slip, which is remarkable really: Broad

“I wouldn’t change it for anything. I was thinking, ‘We need more runs here, we’re 230 ahead. If I get out, we lose the game. So I’m never just going to walk off and accept a loss. I looked up at Aleem and he said not out. Everyone’s been convinced that I nicked it straight to first slip, which is remarkable really. Because even Brad Haddin said afterwards, ‘did you nick that?’, because it cannoned into his gloves and went to first slip.” Broad said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated Test series involving England and Australia is set to take place at five distinct locations, commencing at Edgbaston on June 16.