Broad's fairytale finish to Test career
England secure memorable win
Wednesday, 2 August 2023
England cricket legend Stuart Broad had a fairytale finish to his career as the hosts secured a memorable win in the fifth Test.
He took a wicket with the next ball after repeating his superstitious bails trick in the Ashes. The England seamer took the final two wickets in the series' amazing finale at The Oval on Monday, report agencies.
Broad had an electrifying final spell as he bowled England to victory in the last Ashes clash against Australia at The Oval, with the series drawn at 2-2.
However, the England pace bowler had a frustrating start to the day, finding no joy in his first 18 overs despite repeatedly beating the outside edge.
Australia needed 55 to reach their target of 384 with eight wickets down and English minds were drifting back to the first Test at Edgbaston when their team couldn't get the final two scalps in time to stop the tourists recording a miracle win.In a superstitious act, Broad changed the bails over at the non-striker's end before the last ball of his 19th over - and he found success immediately.
Broad had previously flipped the bails on day two of the Test on Friday before Mark Wood dismissed Marnus Labuschagne with the next ball. England bowled out Australia for 334 to win the fifth Test by 49 runs and draw the series. With England needing two wickets to win the Test on Monday, Broad was again spotted flipping the bails.
He then dismissed Todd Murphy with the very next ball to leave Australia 329-9.
Broad then went on to take the final wicket to clinch the Test match as the series ended in a draw.
Meanwhile, Moeen Ali has confirmed on Test Match Special that this will be his last Test match.
He goes out in style, too. He took 3-76 in Australia's innings to finish with 204 Test wickets as well as 3,094 runs - including five centuries - in 68 matches.
England win by 49 runs to ensure the series finishes all square at 2-2 and deny Australia a first away Ashes series win since 2001. Australia, as the holders, had already retained the Ashes but they remain without an Ashes series win in England since 2001.