‘Broad Ashes was born for cricket’: Nasser Hussain
London (IANS). Former England captain Nasser Hussain has lauded Stuart Broad for retiring at the top of his game as the veteran fast bowler brought a memorable end to his career in his final international match.
Broad made a splash at the end of the third day of the final Ashes Test against Australia by announcing his decision to retire from international cricket at the end of the series.
Taking 604 wickets as a fast bowler in the longest format, Broad went on to become one of the greatest players in modern Test cricket.
Even in his last series, he took 22 wickets, the most for any England bowler in this year’s Ashes.
While announcing his retirement, Broad expressed that he could have continued playing but did not.
Speaking on the latest episode of ICC Review, Hussain lauded the England pacer’s timely decision to call while he was still at the top of his game.
“Well, that’s it,” said Hussein.
“I think in retirement, you would like people to ask, ‘Why not a little more?’
“You retire when people say, ‘Why are you retiring?’ rather than ‘Why not?’
“When people start saying you should retire, you’ve probably gone a bit too far. So I think he timed it perfectly. There were two days left, Sky (Sports ) came to us and said, ‘Yeah,’ I’m done.’ And then he had two days.
“But one thing with Stuart, you know, since he’s announced his retirement, it’s not like I’m done, I’m checking. You know Stuart Broad would like to win. He’s always a winner. Have been.”
It was a fairytale ending to Broad’s career with both bat and ball.
On his last ball with the bat, he hit Mitchell Starc for a six, much to the delight of the English crowd at The Oval.
Then, on the final day in the crucial moments of the final Ashes Test, Broad performed as he has often done in his 17-year international career.
The 37-year-old took the last two wickets to seal a memorable match for England and help them draw the series 2-2.
Hussain recalled the last few moments of Broad’s career.
Hussain said, “And going back to your initial question, is it victory or is it entertainment? Broad fits the bill.”
“He loves theater and entertainment. But more than that, he loves to win. And the script was incredible. You know, left-handers are on strike. He has been a completely left-handed player.
“The last ball he faces in Test cricket, he goes for a six. The last ball he bowls in Test cricket, he gets Carey out.”
“The last Ashes… He is born for Ashes cricket. And he has won his last Ashes Test. It was an unbelievable sight at the Oval.”
