Stuart Broad. (Photo Source: Twitter,PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images and GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
England premier pacer Stuart Broad announced that he will hang up his boots from professional cricket after the ongoing fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 at the Oval. Broad is serving England since 2006 and in his 17-year career, he has done an exceptional job for his team. In Tests, he is the fifth leading wicket-taker, scalping 602 wickets in 308 innings of 167 matches.
With these sensational bowling numbers, he is also the second-highest wicket-taker for England in cricket’s longest format. In his incredible career, Broad has delivered a lot of match-winning moments to his side. On the occasion of the final match of his international career, it’s the best time to recall some of his best performances in England’s jersey.
Here are the 10 best performances of Stuart Broad for England
10. 169 vs Pakistan, Lord’s (Test), 2010
Stuart Broad 100 vs Pak. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Stuart Broad will go down in the record books not just as an excellent pace bowler in Tests but as a decent all-rounder as well. In 2010, Broad showed what he could do with his bat in the longest form of the game. During the infamous Pakistan tour of England in 2010, Broad notched up his maiden and only international ton.
After three Tests, England were ahead with a couple of victories but the loss in the third Test at the Oval concerned England cricket team supporters. In the final Test, Pakistan captain Salman Butt won the toss and put England to bat first. England were under immense pressure after losing seven wickets at a score of 102.
Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad were present in the middle and both players completely changed the scenario of the game with their massive 332-run partnership. Trott played a knock of 184 runs while Broad also notched up 169 runs and helped England post 446 runs on the board in the first innings. The knocks of both players shattered Pakistan’s confidence as they got dismissed on 74 and 147 and lost the game by an innings and 225 runs.
9. 3/30 vs Australia, Sydney Cricket Ground (T20I), 2014
Stuart Broad. (Photo Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
England struggled to play quality cricket when they locked horns with Australia in the Aussie summer of 2013-14. However, Stuart Broad strived his best with the ball and delivered quality performances to his team. In the Ashes 2013-14, he picked up 21 wickets in nine innings of five Tests and became the leading wicket-taker for his side.
After the disappointing defeats in Tests and ODIs, England lost the T20I series as well losing the first two matches. In the final T20I in Sydney, England faced the hosts again and this time, the visitors were playing for pride. At the toss, Australia emerged victorious and chose to bat first.
Australia openers Cameron White and Aaron Finch gave a decent start to their team but after the fall of the latter on 30, Broad attacked the Aussies. Picking up Glenn Maxwell, Brad Hodge, and Dan Christian, Broad ended up his spell with the bowling figures of 4-0-30-0. In the end, England lost the match by 84 runs but Broad registered his best T20I bowling figures against the Aussies.
8. 4/24 vs New Zealand, Eden Park (T20I), 2013
Stuart Broad vs New Zealand. (Photo Source: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2013, England toured New Zealand and the former’s campaign was going well as they won the ODI series by a 2-1 margin. After the One-Day series, England were looking to kick start their T20I series positively at Eden Park and Stuart Broad helped them to do that comfortably.
In the first contest, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and put England to bat first. McCullum’s decision went against the Kiwis as the visitors racked up 214 runs in their 20 overs. Defending the huge total, Broad provided the first breakthrough to England, removing Hamish Rutherford on 18. Rutherford’s scalp gave confidence to England bowlers Steven Finn and Luke Wright to do more damage to New Zealand.
The hosts were in trouble with the loss of four wickets at the score of 111 but the presence of the veteran James Franklin was giving them confidence of comeback. However, Broad trapped Franklin and Colin Munro and helped England to have control over the game. Broad completed his spell with 4-0-24-4 and riding on his superb bowling numbers, England also pocketed the match comfortably by 40 runs.
7. 4/39 vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2009
Stuart Broad vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2009. (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/PA Images via Getty Images)
In the 2009 Champions Trophy, England played an aggressive brand of cricket and qualified for the semi-final with a couple of victories in the group. In their last group match, the England team was facing New Zealand at New Wanderers Stadium. For the Black Caps, this was a do-or-die match.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to field first. Proving Vettori’s decision right, the Kiwi bowlers wrapped up England’s innings on 146 in 43.1 overs. Shane Bond spearheaded New Zealand’s bowling unit from the front, bagging a three-wicket haul. Grant Elliott became the highest wicket-taker for the Black Caps, picking up 4/31 figures in his eight overs.
England failed to defend the low total but Broad’s disciplined bowling grabbed a lot of attention. The speedster clinched four wickets in his 8.1 overs and became the top performer for England in the contest.
6. 4/36 vs Pakistan, Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Test), 2012
Stuart Broad vs Pakistan 2012. (Photo Source: LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP via Getty Images)
England toured the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for three Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is. Following the loss in the first two Tests, England handed an unassailable lead to Pakistan in the three-match series. In the final game, England’s target was to avoid a whitewash in the competition.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and put his team to bat first. Stuart Broad, along with James Anderson, wreaked havoc on Pakistan batters and bundled out the visitors on 99. Broad bagged four wickets, hunting the scalps of Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, and Adnan Akmal.
England batters failed to take advantage of Broad’s good work, getting folded on 141. England batters’ disappointing show gave Pakistan a chance to make a comeback into the match. In the second innings, Pakistan scored 365 runs and this time, Broad trapped Younis Khan through leg-before-wicket (lbw).
5. 5/23 vs South Africa, Trent Bridge (ODI), 2008
Stuart Broad vs South Africa 2008. (Photo Source: Hamish Blair/Getty Images)
England hosted South Africa in 2008 and following the 20-run win over the Proteas in the opening ODI, the hosts were looking to go ahead with confidence in the second contest in Trent Bridge. South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and opted to bat first.
Broad struck the visitors in the fourth over of the game, scalping opener Herchelle Gibbs’ wicket. In his next over, Broad forced captain Smith to follow Gibbs to the pavilion. The pacer continued his fierce approach against veteran Jacques Kallis as well. The England stalwart outplayed Kallis, getting him caught by Owais Shah.
Riding on Broad’s brilliant start, England were riding high in the match. After picking up three important wickets, confident Broad took the wickets of Jean-Paul Duminy and Johan Botha as well. South Africa got folded on 83 due to the speedster’s ferocious bowling display. Following the low total, England openers Ian Bell and Matt Prior took the game home comfortably with their unbeaten knocks of 28 (51) and 45 (36) respectively. Broad received the Player of the Match award for his magnificent bowling display.
4. 6/25 vs India, Old Trafford (Test), 2014
Stuart Broad vs India 2014. (Photo Source: Ben Radford/Corbis via Getty Images)
In 2014, England hosted India for five Tests. After three Tests, the series was level with both teams winning one game apiece. Playing the fourth Test in Manchester, England were put to bowl first by India captain MS Dhoni. Beginning the innings for England, Broad got the key wicket of Gautam Gambhir in his second over.
After Gambhir, Broad outplayed India’s main batters Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin, and MS Dhoni with his disciplined pace bowling. England wrapped up India on 152 and Broad became the leading wicket-taker with 6/25 figures in his 13.4 overs. This is Broad’s best bowling innings against India in Tests.
Broad’s performance boosted England’s confidence as their batters put up 367 runs on the board. In the second innings, India surrendered on 161, and following Dhoni and his men’s batting debacle, England won the game by an innings and 54 runs.
3. 2/82 and 6/17 vs South Africa, New Wanderers (Test), 2016
Stuart Broad vs South Africa 2016. (Photo Source: Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
England toured South Africa in December 2015 and their campaign went well as they won the four-match Test series with a 2-1 margin. In the third Test at Wanderers Stadium, England registered a seven-wicket victory over the Proteas, riding on Stuart Broad’s unprecedented bowling performance.
At the toss, South captain AB de Villiers emerged victorious against his counterpart Alastair Cook and chose to bat first. The hosts batted according to the wicket and amassed 313 runs on the board in the first innings. Stuart Broad, who was leading the bowling unit with James Anderson, took two wickets in the innings.
Replying to South Africa, England scored 323 runs with the help of Joe Root’s fine 110-run innings. In the second innings, Broad produced fire with the ball and wrecked South Africa’s batting attack with his sensational bowling. Grabbing 6/17 figures, Broad guided England to bundle out the hosts on a paltry 83. Broad’s effective bowling helped England come out victorious with seven wickets in hand. The star paceman also became the recipient of the Player of the Match award.
2. 1/64 and 7/44 vs New Zealand, Lord’s (Test), 2013
Stuart Broad vs New Zealand 2013. (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
England and New Zealand locked horns in the 2013 English summer. The two-match Test series between both sides began with the first match at iconic Lord’s. The toss favoured England’s captain Alastair Cook and he chose to bat first. In the first innings, England racked up 232 runs in their first innings.
Replying to England’s score, the Kiwis could rack up only 207. Broad took the important wicket of Brendon McCullum in the first innings. The English side gave the visitors the target of 239 runs, scoring 213 in their second innings. Defending the low total, England bowlers showcased courage to help their team win the match.
Stuart Broad led the bowling unit from the front and came heavily on the Black Caps. The veteran got the crucial wickets of Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, and Brendon McCullum in his bowling spell and helped his team hand New Zealand a 170-run defeat. Broad ended his spell with 7/44 figures in the second innings.
1. 8/15 and 1/36 vs Australia in the Trent Bridge (Test), 2015
Stuart Broad vs Australia 2015. (Photo Source: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
England hosted Australia for the Ashes in 2015. After three Tests, England were ahead of the Aussies with a couple of victories. In the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, the hosts were looking to dominate the visitors and seal the series. England’s skipper Alastair Cook won the toss against Australia’s skipper Michael Clarke and chose to bowl first.
Batting first, Australian batters struggled against Stuart Broad. Broad ran through the Aussie batting unit with his marvellous bowling. He took 8/15 figures with the ball and folded the Aussies on 60. It is Australia’s second-lowest score in the 21st century. Broad brought Australia batters to their knees, which helped England to dominate the game.
With the bat, the hosts accumulated 391 runs in the first innings and took a mammoth 331-run lead. In the second innings, England dismissed Australia on 253 and registered an innings and 78-run triumph. In the second innings, Steven Smith (five runs) fell to Broad cheaply. The England speedster became the Player of the Match for his mind-boggling bowling display.