The fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2023 between England and Australia is currently underway at the Oval. Both teams have batted once in the first three days of the game. Notably, after the stumps on Day 3, veteran English pacer Stuart Broad shocked everyone and announced his international retirement.
He confirmed that the ongoing Test will be the last game of his glorious 17-year-long career, and he will step on the field for the very last time. England ended the third day at 389/3, with Broad (2) and James Anderson (8) not out.
Meanwhile, at the start of Day 4, when Broad came to bat with Anderson, the Australian team gave him a guard of honor as he stepped on the field. He was also welcomed to the crease with huge applause from the fans of both teams.
Stuart Broad makes his way to the pitch with Jimmy Anderson 🥺💫 pic.twitter.com/dpDJ5eoSt5
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 30, 2023
Though England could only add six runs to their overnight score. Broad hit a six off Mitchell Starc. Later, Todd Murphy dismissed Anderson LBW for 8 runs. The hosts got all out for 395 runs. Australia got the target of 383 runs to chase, and it would be a record chase if they will able to do so.
Earlier, Broad’s surprise retirement stunned everyone, as not many expected it to. He has represented his country in 167 tests and has taken 602 wickets so far. He will look to add a few more wickets in the second innings of the ongoing test and help his team win the game and level the series at 2-2.
Stuart Broad took two wickets in the first inning. He is currently the fifth leading wicket-taker in test cricket and has taken the second-most wickets as a pacer. In 121 ODIs, he has taken 178 wickets, while in 56 T20Is, he has picked up 65 wickets.
