Top 5 unforgettable bowling performances of Stuart Broad in international cricket

Stuart Broad provided a perfect ending to his remarkable cricket career by leading England to a series-tying victory against Australia on Day 5 of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval. The enthralling Ashes series concluded with a dramatic twist, as England staged a stirring recovery in the final session to dismiss Australia for 334 while they were chasing a challenging target of 384 to win the series 3-1.

In the final moments of the match, it was Broad who rose to the occasion and clinched the victory for England by taking the last two wickets of the Australian innings. By doing so, he added to his illustrious career tally of wickets, reaching a total of 604 wickets – placing him fourth on the all-time list of leading wicket-takers in cricket. Broad’s announcement of his retirement after this Test made the moment even more poignant, as he sealed his career with a fitting and unforgettable performance.

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Over his 17-year long-illustrious career, Broad has been a consistent performer for England. He holds the distinction of being the fifth leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with an astounding 604 wickets in 308 innings across 167 games. Moreover, he is the second-highest wicket-taker for England in Test cricket, further solidifying his legacy as one of the nation’s greatest bowlers. The 37-year-old also showcased his talent in limited-overs cricket. He played 121 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and picked up 178 wickets. Additionally, in 56 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), he took 65 wickets

Throughout his remarkable journey, the English stalwart has delivered numerous match-winning performances, serving as a key asset for the England team. His contributions have been invaluable, and on the occasion of his final international match, it is a fitting time to reflect on some of his best moments in an England jersey.

Here are the 5 best bowling performances of Stuart Broad for England in international cricket:

1. Broad’s majestic hat-trick against India in Nottingham, 1st Test 2011

☝ MS Dhoni 5 (9) c Anderson b Broad
☝ H. Singh 0 (1) lbw b Broad
☝ P. Kumar 0 (1) b Broad
🗓 #OnThisDay in 2011 pic.twitter.com/l5t0eRr7l6

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 30, 2019

Broad’s standout performance in Test cricket, which is considered one of his finest, occurred during the Trent Bridge Test of 2011, not only against India but overall. In that Test, the Nottingham-born cricketer showcased his all-round brilliance, both with the bat and the ball.

England was facing a tough situation after posting a modest total of 221 in their first innings. However, Broad’s fighting knock of 64 helped them put up a respectable score. When India came to bat, they were in a strong position at 4/267, with Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh leading the charge after being in a precarious position of 139/4.

England needed something special to prevent India from taking a substantial lead in the first innings. Brought back into the attack, Broad provided the much-needed inspiration. With an extraordinary spell of seam bowling, he tore through the Indian batting lineup, triggering a dramatic collapse. India lost their last six wickets for just 21 runs, with the speedster accounting for five of those wickets. Remarkably, he achieved a hat-trick during this spell, further adding to his heroics.

Finishing with incredible figures of 6/46, Broad’s exceptional performance left India in disarray, and they could only manage 288 all-out in their first innings. The impact of Broad’s spell was immense, as India never truly recovered from that setback, not only in that Test but also for the rest of the series.

2. Broad’s Man-of-the-Match performance against Sri Lanka in St Lucia, T20 World Cup 2010 semifinal

Broad’s T20 International career for England might not have garnered numerous Player of the Match awards, but he did secure one crucial accolade during the T20 World Cup 2010 semifinal against Sri Lanka in St Lucia. In that encounter, the right-arm bowler displayed his exceptional bowling skills, returning with impressive figures of 2/21 in his four overs, which played a crucial role in restricting Sri Lanka to 6/128.

Broad’s victims were none other than the experienced batters Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Kapugedera, showcasing his ability to dismiss top-quality opposition players. Thanks to his brilliant performance, England managed to qualify for their first-ever T20 World Cup final.

England’s journey didn’t stop there, as they went on to win the T20 World Cup 2010, beating Australia in the final to clinch the championship in the shortest format of the game.

3. Broad’s dream spell against South Africa in Nottingham, 2nd ODI, 2008

One of those special @StuartBroad8 spells back in 2008!

His best with the ball in ODI cricket 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0SQFdTkShI

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 21, 2020

In the second ODI of the 2008 England vs. South Africa series held in Nottingham, Broad delivered a sensational bowling performance that decimated the Proteas’ batting lineup. His pace and precision proved too much for the South African batters, as he picked five wickets in his 10 overs, conceding only 23 runs. Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy and Johan Botha were all victims of his skilful bowling, leaving South Africa struggling with a mere 83 runs in the first innings.

Broad’s spell was nothing short of remarkable, as he managed to bowl three maiden overs, putting immense pressure on the opposition. His brilliant performance was instrumental in England’s dominant victory, as they won the game by 10 wickets, showcasing their superiority on the field. For his exceptional efforts, Broad was rightfully awarded the Player of the game title, reflecting the impact he had on the game.

4. Broad’s lion-hearted Bowling against India in Visakhapatnam, 2016

Broad’s Test match performance in Visakhapatnam in 2016 showcased his determination and skill, despite not having a great record in Indian conditions. On a pitch that offered little help to fast bowlers, Broad displayed a lion-hearted effort, returning figures of 4/33 in the second innings. India had piled up a formidable 455 runs in their first essay, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli scoring centuries, making it a challenging task for the England bowlers.

In response, England could only manage 255 runs, largely due to Ravichandran Ashwin‘s brave fifer. Nevertheless, in the second innings, Broad showcased his prowess with the new ball, bowling with precision and pitching it up outside the off-stump to trouble the Indian batters. His exceptional performance saw him picking key Indian players, including Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane and Ashwin, ultimately helping England bundle out India for just 204 runs.

Despite Broad’s outstanding efforts, India comfortably won the game by 246 runs, mainly due to England’s poor first-innings performance. Nonetheless, Broad’s bowling display in that Test game is still regarded as one of the best by a seamer in recent times in Indian conditions, where pitches are often made to suit the home team’s strengths.

5. Broad’s iconic spell of 8/15 against Australia in Nottingham, Ashes 2015

An incredible morning in Nottingham 🤭

Where were you for @StuartBroad8's 8/15? pic.twitter.com/XD1em1szKQ

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 23, 2020

Broad’s exceptional performance in the fourth Test at Nottingham during the Ashes series showcased his mastery in seam bowling and played a pivotal role in England’s victory over Australia. With England holding a two-one lead in the series, Broad’s skill and determination proved crucial in their bid to secure the series win.

On a challenging track, England’s decision to let Australia bat first turned out to be a masterstroke, as Broad wreaked havoc from the very beginning. In the first over, he took out Chris Rogers and Steve Smith, while his new-ball partner Mark Wood removed David Warner in the next over. Australia found themselves in dire straits at 3/10 in just 1.2 overs, thanks to Broad’s devastating spell.

Not content with his early success, Broad continued to haunt the Australian batters, hunting Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges and Michael Clarke in successive overs. His exceptional performance saw him record the fastest-ever five-wicket haul, reaching the milestone in a breathtaking display of seam bowling.

Broad’s dominance in the seam-friendly conditions was a sight to behold, and he didn’t stop there. He scalped three more wickets, ending the fixture with astounding figures of 8/15. This performance ranked as the sixth-best by an Englishman in Test history, a testament to his remarkable skill and effectiveness with the ball.

Broad’s valiant efforts led England to a comprehensive victory by an innings and 78 runs, securing the Ashes series and regaining the coveted urn from their arch-rivals, Australia.

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