Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
Top 5 best Stuart Broad spells in Tests | Stuart Broad retires: A look at his best spells and performances in Test cricket
Ricky Ponting described him as the “Ultimate Ashes Warrior”. Glenn McGrath said, “he loves the big moments, he loves the pressure and that is the sign of a true champion.” “I felt quite emotional. I will genuinely miss watching him play,” said Alastair Cook.
Cricket’s greats, even down under, have paid their respects to a fine bowler. Nearly 16 years on from his Test debut in Sri Lanka as a fresh-faced 21-year old, Stuart Broad has shocked many after announcing his retirement following the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval.
One of England’s greatest ever, Broad will finish as one of only five bowlers to take 600 Test wickets. The 167-Test veteran was a thorn in the side of many teams over a number of years; particularly Australia, who will be quite happy to be relieved of their duties of facing Broad from August 2023 onwards.
Broad’s celebrappeals, match-turning spells, ability to get the crowd going, and saying it how it is are etched in the minds of millions. Over the course of 167 Tests, Broad entertained beyond belief, always willing to get stuck in and give his all no matter the circumstances.
The fact his retirement came as a surprise to many is testament to Broad’s fitness and longeivity.
“I’ve had a love affair with the Ashes my whole life and the thought of being able to bowl my last ball and face my last ball versus Australia is something that fills me with joy,” said Broad. How fitting.
5 of the best Stuart Broad spells in Test cricket
In tribute of Broad’s excellent career, here is a look at our top five best Stuart Broad performances in Test cricket. For a player who had the knack of producing game-changing spells, picking just five is a challenge, but here we go.
5. 7/44 vs New Zealand, Lord’s, 2013
New Zealand travelled to England in 2013 having not beaten them in a Test since 2008. At Lord’s, the Black Caps looked to have the perfect opportunity to break their eight-game winless drought with a target of 239 after an evenly-fought Test where the hosts took a first-innings lead of just 25.
However, Broad had other ideas. He went on one of his trademark rampages, ripping through New Zealand’s top four – including Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor – before the score had reached 25.
He took a further three to help dismantle New Zealand for 68 in 22.4 overs. Broad was adjudged man of the match.
4. 6/17 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2016
The third Test of England’s 2015/16 tour of South Africa was evenly poised. The visitors managed to sneak a ten-run lead after the first innings, conjuring up 323 thanks mainly to Joe Root’s excellent 110.
So, South Africa had the chance to build a solid lead on a challenging pitch where most players got out after making a start. But, Broad broke the game wide open, dismissing all of South Africa’s top five, including greats AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, by the time the score reached 35.
The Proteas could not recover. Broad came back to take the final wicket of Faf du Plessis to end South Africa’s innings on just 83, leaving England just 74 to win which they chased with seven wickets to spare to seal the four-match series against the number one-ranked team at the time.
3. 6/50 vs Australia, Chester-le-Street, 2013
After going 2-0 down in the 2013 Ashes, Australia fought back nicely at Old Trafford before rain ruined their hopes of getting back in the series. In the fourth match at Chester-le-Street, the Australians made a fist of things once again, this time putting themselves in a strong position to chase 299.
Chris Rogers (49) and David Warner (71) put on 109 for the first wicket. Australia were still a good chance at 174/3, before Broad did his thing. His dismissal of Michael Clarke is one of the great Ashes deliveries, and he was unstoppable from there, taking six of the final seven wickets to fall to bundle Australia out for 224 and give England a 3-0 series lead.
2. 6/46 vs India, Trent Bridge, 2011
Broad’s ability to produce classic spells when England needed it was on display against India in 2011. England won that series 4-0, but they were in a precarious position in the second Test, with India – the world number one side at the time – sitting nicely 267/4 in reply to England’s 221.
Broad turned the match on its head with the second new ball. First, he dismissed Yuvraj Singh to break the 128-run stand between he and Rahul Dravid. Then, he rattled through the middle-lower order, taking a memorable hat-trick to give England a chance to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the third innings, which they did.
England’s legendary seamer finished with 6/46, but that spell of 5/5 broke India’s resistance not only in that Test, but in the series as well.
1. 8/15 vs Australia, Trent Bridge, 2015
Of course. 8/15. The spell that still sits somewhere deep in the mind of any Australian who was unfortunate enough to witness it.
The fourth Test of the 2015 Ashes began with England leading 2-1. The hosts thumped Australia in the opening Test, before the visitors handed their own thrashing at Lord’s. England then returned the favour in the third, which meant it was Australia’s turn to respond once again.
However, Broad was having none of it. He made a mockery of Australia’s lineup, picking up a five-for in just 19 deliveries to all-but-confirm the urn’s return to England.
His ability to control length and have the Australians nick off for fun was a feature of that memorable spell. All eight of his wickets were caught in the slips, including the miracle one-hander by Ben Stokes that gave us the iconic Broad reaction.
Stuart Broad can be very proud of what he has achieved. There were many other magnificent spells throughout his excellent career, i.e. against Australia at The Oval in 2009 and South Africa at Headingley in 2012, which makes his shoes very big ones to fill.
Given how well he speaks and his love for the game, here is hoping we’ll see Broad very much involved in cricket media soon after his retirement.
Well played, Stuart.
