‘Written in the stars’: Ben Stokes on Stuart Broad’s fairytale ending | Cricket News – Times of India

After England’s victory over Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test on Monday, skipper Ben Stokes expressed his belief that it was destined to happen that retiring England great Stuart Broad took the winning wickets to help his team draw the five-match series at 2-2.

Broad, who retired from international cricketon Monday, claimed the last two Australian wickets, as the visitors’ chase of 384 unraveled dramatically from 264/3 to 334 all out.

The impressive performance by England bowlers secured a 49-run victory on the last day of the Test at The Oval.

Broad’s exceptional bowling display earned him figures of 2/62 in the match, dismissing Todd Murphy and Alex Carey. With these wickets, he ending his cricketing journey with 604 Test wickets, placing him fifth on the all-time list of wicket-takers in the longest format.
“I have played with Broady for a long, long time,” England captain Stokes told Sky Sports. “He has been an unbelievable performer for England and to watch him come in and bowl the way he did — it was written in the stars.”
Spinner Moeen Ali’s 3/76 also played a key role in England’s win, along with all-rounder Chris Woakes (4/50).

“Mo came into this squad through an unfortunate injury to Jack Leach,” he said. “A few things were said about him, but I chose him because I know what he can do on his best days.
“When it really mattered, he produced one of his best days. He changed the game for us. For him to do what he has done is just incredible. He has been a great servant to England.”
The evenly matched series saw England clawing back after losing the first two Tests.

“I don’t think many teams would have been able to respond from 2-0 down,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of everyone’s efforts. We have been do or die since the second game and that really suits us. I genuinely believe this is what Test cricket needed,” said Stokes.
“Every player in an England and Australia shirt is a massive advocate for Test cricket to stay alive. We have been very vocal about that being an objective in the way we play and I think this series has really done that.”

“It has captivated so many new fans and attracted a new audience. Test cricket is the purest form and I absolutely love it. I hope this series has got (made) it even bigger,” Stokes concluded.