Any cricket fans? Stuart Broad is retiring.

[Gymnopedie]

After this Ashes series. I genuinely had a knot in my stomach as I read it. He and Jimmy as a pair have been central to England's performances for so long.

Who's going to replace him?

(I just want to sit in a corner and whimper 'now what are we going to do?')

Stuart Broad to retire

I was shocked but a large part was because I hadn’t realised he’s 37 (I remember his dad playing for England). 😬

It feels like an era is staring to end and I suspect a few more will follow if not right now but after either the World Cup or the next Ashes but hopefully we’ve got enough depth to withstand it.

Really took me by surprise! Definitely a loss to the England side.
I just feel really old now - I remember watching his Dad play 😆

Definitely a momentous change. I shed a little tear when Cook walked off for the last time. Suspect that may happen again tomorrow. Assuming tomorrow, Monday looks like a washout.

Glad it wasn’t just me who remembers his dad. DH want brought up with cricket so had no idea what I was talking about!

Gutted

But totally him - leave on a high, with everyone wanting more

I'm expecting maximum mischief tomorrow

I'm wondering if Anderson will go soon too

Shame, he is on good form as well! I wonder if it will make Jimmy reflect once he makes 700. He will be missed! Passionate player; genius bowler.

It will be emotional but it's a good decision for him. It's great to go out while you're still at the top of the game. He's been a legend for England.

I will miss the Nighthawk, excellent cricketer. How has he reached retirement age without me noticing, still seems so young.

How is he 37 already?!

Yeah must be Anderson’s last as well :(

Surely he's only in his twenties.

I still think of him as the young pretender 🥹

I was shocked when I saw the news. Fair play for going out on a high, but he'll be very much missed. Really surprised he's going before Jimmy. But he's going on his own terms and I really hope on a win too.

He's joining the Sky team immediately, so he also probably wanted to take that opportunity whilst it was available.

Good on him, England's loss though.

it only seems like 5 minutes ago since he started playing for England.

Anderson hasn't had a great series, so perhaps Broad thought that, by contrast, he'd quit while he's ahead? I didn't know, till reading the post above, that he's joining the Sky team. I wish him all the best.

Having said that, I hope Jimmy has a great day tomorrow (his 41st birthday!), takes at least 5, and then also retires on a high.

Here's hoping that Wood and Woakes (and probably another bowler on the verge of a breakthrough whom I haven't yet heard of) step up to fill those big boots.

Know naff all about cricket but my husband was very shocked. Didn't he have mh issues previously or am I getting confused with someone else?

He’s been my favourite player for a long time - I remember when he first burst onto the scene for England, and he’s been so skilful, consistent and gracious, plus incredibly entertaining to watch! I love how he shows exactly how he’s feeling out there on the pitch. Somehow he’s always felt like the young pretender while Jimmy has been around, and that’s why it’s a shock to see him go first. He’s clearly bright and a perceptive analyst of the game so he will be a real asset to Sky. I’ll be glued to every ball tomorrow, and no doubt have a moist eye at the end, just as I did when Cooky retired. I’m glad he’s announced it today so the crowd can enjoy him tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll give us all a show.

I adore Stuart. What a character, what a player! He had his first baby (or his wife did!) fairly recently I think and is now married. Maybe that had something to do with it. I hope he has a great day tomorrow and gets rid of Warner one last time 🏏
Maybe Ollie Robinson can step up

Well at least I KNOW I’ll be crying today when it ends, so can stock up on tissues rather than being caught unawares

Hope the weather holds where I am as well as in Kennington. If it does I'll be watching it on the outdoor big screen. Big departures deserve a big screen!

Bloody love Stuart & will miss him so much as a cricketer & personality around the team. I love his unashamed competitiveness and his willingness & ability to get right up the nose of the opposition 😆

Who wants to see my Jelly Cat cricket ball? He's wearing a floppy like Stuart always does

Going out at the top, before everyone asks why you are continuing. Good on him, knowing when to leave something is an underrated life skill.

Hope he can coach bowlers in the future and his young child can see him more often (cricketers are away a lot).

This match is done. Glad he got a brief bat this morning. Been a bit of a crap way to lose the series with so much rain but it's been a great one overall.

https://www.tapandrun.co.uk/

This is his pub if you ever fancy a pint.