Stuart Broad to retire from cricket at end of 2023 Ashes

The 37-year-old bowler made the announcement on Sky Sports at the end of the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, citing his desire to "finish at the top"

Stuart Broad will retire from cricket at the end of the 2023 Ashes.

The 37-year-old bowler made the announcement on Sky Sports at the end of the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, citing his desire to "finish at the top".

"Tomorrow or Monday will be my last game of cricket. It has been a wonderful ride and a huge privilege to wear the Nottinghamshire and England badge as much as I have," he told Sky Sports.

"I am loving cricket as much as I ever have. I have always wanted to finish at the top and this series feels like one of the most enjoyable and entertaining I have been a part of.

^{Broad celebrates his first Test wicket against Sri Lanka in 2007 [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

^{A successful white-ball player, Broad won the 2010 T20 World Cup [Clive Rose/Getty Images]}

"I decided at 8.30pm last night. I have been thinking about it for a couple of weeks. England vs Australia has always been the pinnacle for me. I have loved the battles that have come my way and the team's way. I have a love affair with Ashes cricket. I think I wanted my last bat and bowl to be in Ashes cricket.

"I told Stokesy last night and the changing room this morning. It just felt like the right time. I didn't want friends and teammates to see things that might come out. I prefer just to say it and give it a good crack in the Australia innings.

"I was a little bit [emotional]. I have thought a lot about it. Even up until last night, I was a bit unsure but when I told Stokesy and told him I felt content and happy with everything."

^{Broad celebrated his 600th Test wicket during the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford earlier in July [Clive Mason/Getty Images]}

^{Broad spent the majority of his domestic career with Nottinghamshire [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

Broad, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo in December 2007, is currently playing in his 167th Test match.

During that time, he has scored 3,656 runs and taken 602 wickets - one of only five players, alongside Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, teammate James Anderson, and Anil Kumble to take over 600 wickets in Test cricket. 

He will retire as England's leading wicket-taker in Tests against Australia - his current haul is 151 wickets at 28.93 - while his career-best first-class figures also came against his favourite opponents when he picked up 8 for 15 at Trent Bridge during the 2015 Ashes.

He earned 121 ODIs caps between 2006 and 2016, taking 178 wickets at 30.13, and 56 T20I caps between 2006 and 2014, taking 65 wickets and winning the 2010 T20 World Cup.

Broad began his career with Leicestershire in 2005 but has spent the majority of his county career with Nottinghamshire. He also featured for Hobart Hurricanes during the 2016/17 Big Bash.

BREAKING 🚨: Stuart Broad announces he will retire from cricket after the Ashes ends. pic.twitter.com/dNv8EZ0qnC

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 29, 2023