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

Those final 2 wickets were fookin' brilliant! Perfect. So happy Broad got that ending. 🏏

Some people have to endure genuine hard work throughout their whole lives in order to pay bills and provide for their family, for a fraction of the money. He's doing a sport he enjoys, not a hard graft job.

Being a top sportsperson isn’t that easy, if it was we’d all give it a go for some easy ££

Plus if people enjoy watching the sport you excel at why shouldn’t you reap the rewards?

Better the players do than just those who own whatever

I'm so glad today wasn't washed out. It would have been an awful damp squib (pun intended) way to go out. Instead he went out with one last almighty bang. Thank you for everything Broady.

I'll miss him - he comes across as a good guy competitive but in the right way.

He has grown into the role of top class test bowler as well - his first 75 test wickets were at an average of about 40 which is not great but we stuck with him and it was well worth it. Every now and then as well he produced a devastating burst that blew teams away.

He's not Curtley Ambrose, Glenn McGrath or Malcolm Marshall but along with Jimmy the best English fast bowler of my lifetime and I've been watching cricket for nigh on 50 years

Yes, he's very lucky to be able to work hard at something he also massively enjoys and to reap the success of that hard work. And has been very clear how fortunate he considers himself. He also works very hard at it.

Is it everyone who plays professional sport you feel that way about or are you singling him out?

He is not married to Mollie King, they decided to postpone the wedding so their daughter could be involved in it.
We used to live near his Mum and Dad and often saw him in his local pub as well as going to Trent Bridge.

Being a top level fast bowler is very demanding on the body - his and Anderson's longevity is astonishing.

I know a few people who've been good level quicks - problems with shoulders, backs, ankles are rife.

Sure they have a decent lifestyle but it's not that lucrative compared to some sports and the physical graft is tough

Some people are able to work hard yet admire the talents and successes of others, because we’re not bitter craparses

@marshmallowfinder why the bitterness?

Broady has earned no where near the amount that premier league footballers earn.

England cricketers bring a great deal of joy to many. If you know anything about cricket you will know the hard work and dedication that goes into becoming a skilled cricketer. Clearly you don't, so, I'm not entirely sure why you have felt the need to comment on this thread.

marshmallowfinder. In case you haven't noticed, he's retired at 37.

"Remember when Take That split up and they put on special helplines to call? The ECB will need to do similar"

I've been laughing about this all evening @ConfusedGin

But fear I may be dialling that number.

That's what I thought at that time, but then they played some more😄.

So pleased for Stuart Broad, what a great way to retire from the game.
Fancy coming on a thread like this to have a whinge , naming no names, marshmallow.

Sorry, I got confused with 15.48 today.

I am not surprised he already has a commentating contract. He speaks well. His father was on radio this morning and I thought how similar their voices are.

I remember the Take That helplines and I would defo ring up a Broady version to have a soppy chat.
What a Gent and what a way to go. A wonderful athlete it has been a privilege to watch👏

He's inspired my cricket-mad son who now wears a bandana made out of an old sock everywhere he goes.

Yeah, glad I was a fool to trust the weather forecast!