Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad - Professional English Bowler
Stuart Broad is one of England’s most influential fast bowlers of the modern era. A tall, skilful right-arm seamer, he became a cornerstone of England’s attack across all formats and later served as a senior leader within the national setup. By the time he retired, Broad had secured his place among the elite bowlers in Test cricket history, finishing inside the global top five for wickets taken and ranking second on England’s all-time list, behind his long-time new-ball partner James Anderson.
Stuart Broad: Early Life and Path into Cricket
Born on 24 June 1986 in Nottingham, Broad was raised in a household where international cricket was part of everyday life. His father, Chris Broad, represented England and later became an ICC match referee, while the family environment naturally encouraged sporting ambition. From early childhood, Stuart spent countless hours playing cricket at home, absorbing the game through experience rather than instruction alone.
As a teenager, Stuart Broad was not exclusively focused on cricket. He showed genuine promise in field hockey and even attended trials for England’s youth system at the age of 16. However, a leg injury combined with his rapid physical growth prompted a decisive shift toward cricket. Although he initially viewed himself as a batter, his height, bounce, and developing pace soon made fast bowling his clear calling.
Stuart Broad: Domestic Breakthrough
Broad signed his first professional deal with Leicestershire in 2005, just after turning 18. He quickly adapted to first-class cricket, and the 2006 season proved to be his breakthrough year. Across 16 matches, he claimed 48 wickets at an average just over 25, performances that earned him the Young Cricketer of the Year award. More importantly, those displays placed him firmly on England’s selection radar.
International Debut and Rise
Broad’s rise at the international level happened at remarkable speed. His first exposure came in August 2006, when he was selected for England’s T20I clash against Pakistan, where he immediately made an impact and came close to claiming a hat-trick. Just two days later, he was handed his One Day International debut, striking early with the ball by taking a wicket in his first over and later adding useful runs down the order.
His introduction to Test cricket followed in December 2007 during England’s tour of Sri Lanka. Although his debut series did not deliver eye-catching figures, coaches and selectors saw enough promise to continue backing him. That faith proved justified. As his career progressed, Stuart Broad sharpened his craft, developing greater control over seam movement, extracting bounce, and learning how to outthink batters through variation and strategy. These improvements transformed him into a decisive strike bowler, especially on English pitches, where he consistently influenced matches.
Stuart Broad: Major Achievements and Career Highlights
Across more than a decade and a half at the highest level, Broad built an extraordinary résumé:
- World champion twice, winning the ICC World Twenty20 (2010) and the ICC Cricket World Cup (2019);
- A central figure in the 2010-11 Ashes, helping England secure a historic series victory in Australia;
- The only England bowler to take two Test match hat-tricks;
- 604 Test wickets, placing him fifth all-time globally and second in England’s history;
- Part of a legendary bowling partnership with James Anderson, the duo combining for around 850 Test wickets;
- Named multiple times in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2023);
- Finished runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year voting in December 2023.
At domestic level, Broad remained closely tied to Nottinghamshire, winning the County Championship in 2010 and later lifting the T20 Blast. Although he also represented teams such as Hobart Hurricanes, Punjab Kings, Leicestershire, and the Marylebone Cricket Club, Nottinghamshire was always his sporting home. He spent 16 seasons with the county before retiring in 2023.
Life Beyond the Boundary
Away from the field, Broad has long been a familiar figure in British sport and media. He is known by the nicknames “Brodie” and “Malfoy”, the latter a light-hearted reference to his resemblance to the Harry Potter character.
Stuart Broad is married to Molly King, a singer with The Saturdays and a BBC Radio 1 presenter. Together, they are raising two daughters.
In his private life, Broad enjoys military history, as well as following football and rugby, supporting Nottingham Forest and Leicester Tigers. A deeply personal chapter of his life came in 2010, when his stepmother, Michelle Broad, tragically died after battling ALS – an event Broad has spoken about with openness and sensitivity.
Post-Retirement Career
Since stepping away from professional cricket, Broad has transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting. He currently works as a commentator and analyst for Sky Sports, offering tactical insight shaped by years of experience at the top level. In June 2025, he was also invited to act as a consultant for the South Africa national team ahead of the World Test Championship final, highlighting the respect he commands across the international game.
Today, Stuart Broad remains one of cricket’s most recognisable voices not just as a former great fast bowler, but as a thoughtful analyst and influential figure within the sport.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Balls bowled | Wickets | Bowl Avg | Best Bowl |
| Test | 167 | 3 662 | 18.0 | 98 | 33 698 | 604 | 27.7 | 8/15 |
| ODI | 121 | 529 | 12.3 | 41 | 6 108 | 178 | 30.1 | 5/23 |
| T20I | 56 | 118 | 7.4 | 33 | 1 173 | 65 | 22.9 | 4/24 |
| T20s | 85 | 152 | 7.6 | 68 | 1 788 | 100 | 21.4 | 4/24 |
| List A | 151 | 620 | 11.9 | 64 | 7 495 | 216 | 30.5 | 5/23 |
| FC | 265 | 5 840 | 19.1 | 189 | 50 125 | 952 | 26.7 | 8/15 |
