Stuart Broad's father 'surprised' by cricket icon as England behaviour examined
Stuart Broad has retired from cricket after starring for England at the Ashes
PA
Stuart Broad's longevity in cricket has surprised his father, with the 37-year-old recently retiring from the sport.
The England icon bowed out at the beginning of the month after helping his side beat Australia to win the fifth and final Ashes Test.
And Broad's father, Chris, has been left 'surprised' by the way his son has been able to stay in the sport for so long - particularly as a bowler.
"It has been surprising - particularly as a bowler," he said.
Chris Broad has hailed son Stuart after England icon announced his retirement from cricket
PA
"He started off as a batter but Leicestershire saw he had the ability to bowl and he grew into this guy who was 6ft 6ins who was able to get it down the other end quite quickly.
"It was his control, line and length that was impressive - right from the start.
"Right from the time he played first-class cricket at Grace Road through to The Oval he has loved every moment of playing a sport that so many other would love to play as well - and loved to be playing at the highest level.
"Very quickly after playing for Leicestershire he was playing for England and he never really looked back. It's an astonishing, immediate rise and something he has maintained for all those years - it's quite remarkable."
Chris also admits he's proud of the way Broad has behaved while playing for England, hailing the media image he's created in the process.
"It's been terrific. He has done fantastically well," he said.
"The whole family have been extremely proud of his performances and the way he comes over in the media. Of course, the Australian media hate him - and that's great!
"But as far as the English media are concerned he seems to have had a good ride.
"I am clearly proud and honoured to have watched a number of his performances. He has been a shining light throughout his career.
"He has set an example for a lot of people to follow and I hope lots of people do follow him.
"He has played it tough but has played it in a friendly manner. He has tried his hardest whenever he has gone out into the middle."
Broad is set to become a commentator after deciding to leave cricket behind.
He currently lives in London with fiancee Mollie King and baby daughter Annabella.
Yet Chris says his son will always love Nottingham - and Trent Bridge in particular.
"He was born in Nottinghamshire at the City Hospital, so playing for Notts was an inevitable move," the 33-year-old said.
"He has loved - as I always have - being at Trent Bridge.
"The Trent Bridge crowd are so knowledgeable, friendly and kind and he has also appreciated their support when he has come back to play - and so have the team.
"In the past few years he has been one of their better bowlers.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
England icon Stuart Broad lives in London with fiancee Mollie King and baby Annabella
PA
"He encourages a lot of the youngsters to perform at a higher level and they are going to miss him as much as England I am sure.
"But retiring was absolutely the right thing for him to do. It worked out perfect.
"It was a really nice way for the supporting public to be able wish him well in whatever comes next. It was his way of saying thank you very much."