Stuart Broad explains warning he fired to England cricket players after retiring
Stuart Broad fired a warning to England players after retiring from cricket
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Stuart Broad has revealed he warned young players to learn from England's experienced heads in the wake of his recent retirement.
The 37-year-old bowed out on a high earlier this month, dismissing Alex Carey to help his side win the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia.
Broad is now set to become a commentator, with the England icon already adjusting to life after cricket.
And the bowler, speaking to the Daily Mail+, has now revealed he warned young players to learn from the likes of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as they look to emulate his success.
James Anderson has paid tribute to England icon Stuart Broad after cricket retirement
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"It’s an incredible set-up," he said.
"You know, I actually said to the guys in the Oval changing room last week how lucky the young players are to be having their cricketing education in this environment.
"Learning how to go about international cricket from Baz and Stokesy will improve players way quicker than they would have improved in the past, and that certainly can be a huge positive for English cricket.
"But I do believe that as much should be made of these years as possible because we all know in sport that coaches and captains don’t stay around forever."
Unsurprisingly, Broad also revealed his final Test wicket was his favourite of all time.
The 37-year-old dismissed Alex Carey at the Oval last week to bow out on a high.
And Broad said: "Not only a wicket to win an Ashes Test in front of a full house, but my last delivery.
"How could it not be among my favourites?
"I got nearer to the stumps because I’d been bowling pretty wide of the crease, tried to shape the ball back with the aim of getting a chop-on or bowled, but as it moved back slightly he poked at it and nicked it, allowing Jonny Bairstow to catch.
"Jonny had predicted it would end this way the night before."
Broad, in a separate interview with Sky Sports, revealed he'd attempted to break the news of his retirement to James Anderson in Starbucks.
However, two fans being present meant that wasn't possible.
"We had a 9 o'clock bus leave on Saturday morning and I texted Jimmy saying 'Should we do an 8:45 coffee run?' I thought I would get him on his own and will tell him then (about retirement)," he said.
"But we got followed by two cricket fans into Starbucks. So I really couldn't get a moment with him."
He added: "We got on the bus five minutes early and I put my hand out, shook it and said 'Jim, that's me. It's a really hard thing to say but it feels the right time.' and then we had a hug."
As for Anderson, the England veteran was taken aback by the news.
However, he thinks Broad has quit cricket at the perfect time.
"A bit surprised," he said when asked how he reacted to the news.
"I know Stuart was talking about it last summer.
"But when I stand back and think about the decision, knowing Stuart as I do, the Ashes is the absolute pinnacle for him.
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England cricket icon Stuart Broad bowed out of the sport on a high
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"So for him to finish on top and finish the way he played in those five matches is just incredible. That was the perfect way to bow out."