Stuart Broad won his first cap under Michael Vaughan and has since racked up 602 — and growing — test wickets. Photo: Getty Images/Clive Mason
I gave Stuart Broad his test debut in Sri Lanka 16 years ago. The first thing I noticed was his intelligence as a bowler. I described him as the smartest bowler I've ever led, which speaks volumes about his competitiveness and how much he thinks about the game. He was always setting his pitches, chatting about his plans and coming up with new challenges for the opposing batsmen. That's what a smart bowler he was.
When he moved to England, I was so impressed with his vision of the game. He always asked me questions. I liked that element of him being in control when he was bowling. I always told a young bowler that you should be the captain yourself. You don't really need a captain.
If there ever was a bowler who could be captain, I always thought that bowler was Brod. I think he could make a very good captain. But it's hard being a bowler and captain, as has been evident in the past few weeks with Pat Cummins.
There were faster bowlers, more skillful bowlers, but not many smarter bowlers. And it's that quick wit, along with his love for the big moments, that's earned him over 600 test wickets. I always thought he might be special, but no one could have predicted that. He had a wonderful career.
Wade was Mr. Ashes. If you were ever going to hang an England jersey on the wall and want all your little kids to look at the jersey and what's underneath, I'd just say Wide.
The Ashes is the pinnacle for all England players. He brought this competitive advantage, this strong mentality, this will to win, this drive, fun — even this facial expression. We even saw this competitiveness in his stunt against Marnus Labouchan on day two at the Oval. Stewart is always trying something, always in competition. It has everything you need from an English Test cricketer.
Michael Vaughan ranks Broad as one of the smartest there were never bowlers. Photo: AFP/Andrew Yates
Ian Botham always gets headlines as Mr. Ashes vs. Australia. But Broad is there too. He was so good. He's right there with what he's achieved and what he's delivered. No one has ever taken more test wickets against Australia — that's incredible when you think of all the great players that have been in the game before.
Ash Cricket has always brought out the best in the Broad. It was at The Oval in 2009 that Brod created one of these amazing spells for the first time, taking five out of 37 to effectively protect the Ashes. And, of course, this incredible spell at Trent Bridge in 2015 — eight out of 15, when all of Australia is in the afternoon. It's not even a dream, because it's so wonderful.
What the 37-year-old Broad did on this series was fantastic. We thought he could only play a test or two in this series — he said so himself. Instead, he played all five and became the best wicket-taker in England.
I'm not surprised it's gone. Australia has always produced the best on the Broad. So with 26 months to move on to the next Ashes, it makes sense that he's gone now. It's fitting that he ends his career against Australia.
Broad's skill level is getting better and better. Fitness, dedication, the levels of pain you go through while bowling. There is a lot to admire in his career. Stewart can be very, very proud of having been a top-notch Test cricketer for 16 years and staying at the top of his game.
The only surprise for me in his career was, perhaps, his hit. When I first saw him, I thought he had so much potential that he could become the seventh or even sixth number in the England team and have a great career balancing in the team as an all-rounder. But he had a fantastic bowling career.
When you play for such a long period of time, you go through different stages of the game of cricket. I remember when he was a security officer — it did not suit him. I am so in awe of how he continues to improve his skills. This can be seen in how he developed the swing seam and became so effective against lefties.
Brod was effective against lefties. lefties — especially David Warner. Credit: PA/Mike Egerton
Even without his old buddy James Anderson will continue, I'm pretty sure of it. I think he will offer his services for at least another year. The question is whether England will offer him another central contract.
It's the combination of Broad and Anderson together — it's going to be a very special Sunday.
He's going to be emotional. The public loved what Broad brought to the team so much — it's great that they can say goodbye to him. And knowing Broad, he's sure he'll do well.
Throughout his career, he's written his own scripts against Australia. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he won another five-wicket win in England. And there's no doubt about the wicket he'll want most: David Warner again. The scenes, if it happens, will be something special.
I don't think we'll see seam bowlers take 600 wickets again. I don't think the game will allow that.
So cheers, Brody. It was a pleasure to play with you for a bit and see the development of a top performer and person over the past 16 years. You are a role model for the next generation. For me it is always the greatest praise that you inspire a new breed of cricketers.
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