Stuart Broad was given a guard of honor by Australian players ahead of the start of play on Day 4 of the ongoing 5th and final Ashes 2023 Test at the Oval in what was his last Test batting innings.
After remaining not out along with James Anderson as the last pair in England’s second innings at the close of stumps on Day 3, Broad announced that he will be retiring from cricket at the conclusion of this Test, and thus the series.
On the morning of Day 4, Sunday, he walked down the stairs along with James Anderson to a standing ovation from the jam-packed crowd at The Oval and got a guard of honor from the Australian players who stood in two parallel lines to welcome Broad in his last Test innings.
Stuart Broad walked into the guard of honor with great applause from everyone and soaked it in. Before stepping into the field, the 37-year-old also asked his long-time teammate and great friend and bowling partner James Anderson to also come along with him, but Anderson stood back, allowing Broad to have his moment. This was a great gesture of respect from Anderson to Broad.
Australian players funnily invite James Anderson also in guard of honor but he refuses
After Stuart Brod had completed his walk through Australia’s guard of honor, as the players started to disperse, some of the Australian players, including Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh, hilariously also asked James Anderson to walk through the guard of honor but Anderson refused, tacitly suggesting that the 41-year-old is still no retired.
This was a hilarious moment and fans had a good laugh at it.
Here, check out:
Australian players asking Anderson to walk as well during guard of honour.
A fun moment…!!! pic.twitter.com/alO3m6sdpX
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 30, 2023
For the final time with the bat…@StuartBroad8 and @Jimmy9 head out to the middle together 🤩
A special moment 🥰#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/6sL5K7vuQL
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2023
Smith asking Anderson to take the Guard of Honor too😭😂 pic.twitter.com/1ANaShA8fh
— Kanav Bali (@Concussion__Sub) July 30, 2023
Stuart Broad cracked Mitchell Starc for a stunning pull shot six in what turned out to be the last ball he faced in his career as Anderson got out in the next over. England have set Australia a target of 384 runs with almost two days of play left, although some of it might get washed out due to predicted rain.
Australia need a win or a draw to win the series while England will be aiming to level the series 2-2.
His final ball faced in Test Cricket? 🤔
A MASSIVE six! ❤️@StuartBroad8 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jHg99Q2nAi
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2023
