Ashes 2023 | ENG vs AUS: Stuart Broad on getting emotional in dressing room while announcing retirement

Star England bowler Stuart Broad made the shock retirement announcement on Saturday at stumps on Day 3 of the fifth and final Ashes test against Australia at the Oval.

The 37-year-old Broad opened up on scenes in the dressing room when he told Ben Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum, Joe Root and then rest of the English teammates about his decision.

'It's certainly emotional, you know, I told Stokesie and Baz (Brendon McCullum) last night and felt calm and, you know, sort of uplifted by telling someone outside of my bubble and then tried to tell Rootie (Joe Root) this morning and just couldn't say a word. You know, I tried to just ... I just shook his hand again and said, that's me. And then that was all that came out. I just couldn't get any words out. And we just had a hug,' the pacer said.

Broad also accepted Australia of being his biggest motivator and said that the Aussies bring out the best in him.

'I think I've had a love affair with the Ashes my whole life and the thought of being able to bowl my last ball and face my last ball versus Australia is something that fills me with joy.

I think the competitiveness of what Australia bring to cricket brings out the best in me. I love that eye to eye battle. I love the energy the crowd brings and the history, the battle and the rivalry that the crowd brings to it. And, you know, I think I know my emotions have to be sky high, for me to be a good bowler and my competitive spirit to be sky high, for me to be good bowler. And I can promise you every single time I've run in with the ball in my hand against Australia, they've been there,' stated Broad.

Broad has taken 602 wickets in 167 tests, making him the second most successful paceman in test history behind teammate James Anderson.