Stuart Broad sacks Australian Alex Carey with his last Test cricket ball. Photo: Getty Images/Alex Davidson
Stuart Bow. Even though you have been England's top trader against Australia for most of your career, I feel that most of my countrymen will be very happy to see you finish on your own terms.
It's rare for a professional athlete to finish fabulous ending. Most of them fall or are interrupted due to injury. Unfortunately, this is why so many have held a grudge against the organization they have represented for most of their lives.
In Stuart Broad's case, taking the last two wickets in front of an adoring Oval crowd, he was as close to a perfect finish as he could ever dream of. These last moments will live with him forever, and I feel that he will not be angry. He left on his own terms, although he's still a great bowler.
For the first time, I remember Brody being a lanky 19-year-old who bowled with us in Leicester ahead of the 2005 Ashes tour. From the first ball it was clear that there was something special about him. Tall, athletic, neat, he was a handful. One of those kids you're talking about, «Wow, there's something special about that boy.»
Not only his bowling left a mark. Another feature that struck me that day was his serious, inquisitive demeanor, modesty and politeness. We were all surprised when the clean bowler came out to play for Leicestershire the next morning and took two of 77 of 22 overs.
Fast forward 18 years and he will be the superstar of the game. From the Australian's point of view, there were moments when he turned us all on with his cheeky comments and cheeky taunts. For this he was booed and criticized. But when you think about it, my teammates had the same effect.
Glenn McGrath predicted that we would win every game and was called the arrogant Australian smartass for his taunts. But if you know Glenn, he doesn't have any serious bones in his body. We laughed behind closed doors at how seriously people took his views.
I compare Stuart Broad to Andy Caddick. Another tall, superb fast bowler from England and Somerset, Caddy was one of the worst guys I've ever played against. Not only was he hard to fight, but his sledding was the worst I've ever heard, he acted like a complete clown and I generally thought he was a scoundrel.
Andy Caddick won 234 wickets in 62 Tests, and Justin Langer compares Broad to the English bowler of the 1990s and early 2000s. Photo: PA/Matthew Fearn
We then became teammates in Somerset and I soon realized that he is one of the wonderful people I have met in my life. He was a captain's dream because of his stamina, skill and competitive instincts, but more than that, he has a heart of gold and will do anything for you. A great person on the team who will still be talking nonsense on the pitch, but will literally help you in any way he can.
The thing is, Stewart can make some Australian fans boil, but I never did. I've heard bad things about him from players on both sides, and I know how much everyone admired him when he played Big Bash.
Often your perception of an opponent can be far from reality. I've learned that the opponents you least like are often the ones you love most on your team.
England didn't get the Ashes back, but Brody played a key role in the turnaround as his team rushed to victory. finish line.
Stuart Broad ends his career with 604 test wickets. Photo: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
In contrast, Australia limped at the end; just hold on. They will be happy to keep the urn, but for the last seven weeks they have been in the contest of their lives.
When the players board their flight home, I have no doubt they will feel relieved. They will take a deep breath and say, «Thank God, I'm going home.» Playing Ashes cricket in England is exhausting, especially when you get hit. Nowhere to hide, nowhere to run.
There is an opinion that all players hate each other and that our countries are at war when the Ashes are coming. This couldn't be further from the truth.
When it comes down to it, the respect earned by a series like this is enormous. During five control matches, the players performed in arm wrestling. They will be destroyed physically and morally. The rollercoasters and swings with each session were delightful to watch, and frankly, it's a pity we have to wait two more years to enjoy such heartbreaking entertainment.
Australia will look back on this series and ask themselves what has changed since the second test in Lords. From the first ball they had a plan to wear down England with defensive pitches and old-fashioned Test matches. Aside from Mitch Marsh and Travis Head, the strategy seemed to be that they wanted to tire the aging English bowlers and capitalize on it late in the game.
Unfortunately for them, England's tiring bowling attack used their sinister experience to adjust and adapt any time Australia wanted to take advantage. Mark Wood's speed and Chris Wax's cunning spelled out a bowling choke attack when added to the mix of two wily vixens, Broad and Anderson. with batting smart. From afar, this style of baseball was interesting to watch. It's not only interesting but also intimidating for any opponent, including Australia's world-class attack.
There's no doubt that Australia missed Nathan Lyon after the Lords. Injuries are part of the game, but he is such an integral part of this Australian team that his absence has cost him dearly.
At the end of the day, the result of «two all» will probably be fair. The series was so close that it would be a bold person to announce a clear winner. But we can agree on one thing: Ash is alive and well. I, for one, will miss not only the entertainment, but also the jokes and late nights here in Perth that I spent with friends from all over the world, sharing my opinions and disappointments about what was and what could have been.< /p>
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