Stuart Broad 'nearly quit cricket sooner' as James Anderson lifts lid on England icon
Stuart Broad has retired from cricket after starring for England at The Ashes
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Stuart Broad nearly retired from cricket a year ago, according to England star James Anderson.
The 37-year-old confirmed on Saturday that he'd be leaving the sport behind, having been playing at the highest level for over 15 years.
Broad bowed out in the best way possible, taking the final two wickets to help England beat Australia in the fifth Ashes Test on Monday.
It meant the visitors were denied a first series triumph on British shores since 2001, even if the Baggies were able to keep hold of the urn.
England icon Stuart Broad was outstanding in the final Test of The Ashes
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And Anderson, writing for The Telegraph, has now confirmed Broad nearly quit a year ago - only to be talked out of it by Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
“Stuart told me about his retirement over a coffee before we got on the team bus for the third day’s play," he said.
"I was a bit shocked initially but when it sank in, it was not a surprise.
"He considered it last summer but Baz and Stokesy managed to talk him out of it."
After Broad's retirement was confirmed, England players and staff members presented the 37-year-old with a farewell gift.
The bowler, who took 604 Test wickets during his glittering career, was given a boxed bottle of champagne.
Each member of the team also wrote a personal message.
And Anderson has now revealed what he put in his, saying: “It was hard crunching 15 years of cricket together in a couple of sentences. I just wrote ‘it’s hard to know where to start. Thanks for all the memories, I owe you so much.'"
The England star, who has made it clear he won't follow Broad into retirement just yet, also plans on sending a gift of his own.
“I might send him a little gift in the next few weeks when I’ve properly thought about it," added the 41-year-old.
"We talked about the photo of us going out to bat on day five at the Oval, perhaps I will get a couple of those blown up.
"It is definitely the one photo I would like hanging in my house."
On not retiring together, Anderson continued: "It was nice we did not go out at the same time together as well.
"We have always been put in a bracket as a partnership but he is in his own right one of the best bowlers England have ever produced so he deserved his own send-off."
Meanwhile, speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Broad admitted he found it tough confirming his retirement to his long-term team-mates.
"When I went to tell Stokesy, when I told Jimmy and Rooty, I found it quite hard to find the words to say," he said.
"I've seen a couple of clips from the crowd reaction of a couple of wickets at The Oval on Monday and that made me feel a little bit emotional.
"Ultimately, I just feel really proud of being able to play for England for as long as I have and experience as much as I have.
"It probably hasn't sunk in that I won't bowl another ball or hit another ball. I think that will probably come in a bit of time.
"But I knew deep down that I wanted to try and finish at the top and Ashes cricket feels like the top for me. It was a pretty cool way to finish."
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James Anderson has paid tribute to fellow England cricket hero Stuart Broad
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He added: "Probably probably a week or so I was thinking about retirement. I was so focused on the Ashes series. The games were coming so thick and fast.
"I didn't really have time to think of anything else."