Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg lauded Stuart Broad’s ability to speak out on important issues when the need arose during his career. Broad bid farewell to the game after the fifth Test of the 2023 Ashes series, which ended in a 2-2 draw match. He has always been among the most outspoken members of the English team over the years and has often irked Australian fans with his actions and words.
The veteran fast bowler had angered the Australian by saying that the 2021-22 Ashes which the English team lost 4-0, is null and void due to the COVID-19 restriction. Even in his last act as a player, he stunned the Australians with his ‘Bell Switch’ trick to get the last wicket of his career. Hogg believes that more players should speak their mind like Broad. He said:
“When there is an issue, Broad speaks his mind and I really like that. I think players should be allowed to speak their minds like him. Khawaja does it as well, which is good.’
Hogg also talked about the extraordinary style with which Stuart Broad ended his playing career. He said:
“I can’t believe someone has finished with a six to end their batting career and pick up two crucial wickets to help the team get over the line. I love the way he wants to be in the contest. As much as possible, he gets in under the opposition’s skin and more importantly, I love his attitude to the game.”
Stuart Broad hit a six off his last ball as a batsman and remained unbeaten as the English team were bowled out for 395 runs at the start of the fifth day. In fairy tale style he took the last two wickets to give England a 49 runs victory and draw the series 2-2.
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“I Thought He Was Going to Be the Weak Link in The Chain” – Brad Hogg on Zak Crowley
England opener Zak Crawley was his team’s leading run scorer in the 2023 Ashes. He scored 480 runs in nine innings, which included a brilliant century in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Crawley was regularly criticized in the past but the situation has changed since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have taken over the reins of the Test team.
Hogg praised Crawley and Usman Khawaja for their exploits in the 2023 Ashes. He said:
“Khawaja was brilliant with the bat. He was patient, he played a different style than what England did. He was prepared to bat for a long period of time. Crawley was just sensational, I thought he was going to be the weak link going into the series. Australia were too defensive with Crawley early on in the series.”
Usman Khawaja was the leading run-scorer of the series with 496 runs in 10 innings. He scored the most runs in England by an Australian opener Since Matthew Elliott in 1997
