The Pavilion End at Trent Bridge is set to undergo a significant transformation as it pays homage to one of England’s most celebrated cricketing icons. In recognition of the former Nottinghamshire and England seamer who retired from professional cricket after this summer’s Ashes, it will be renamed The Stuart Broad End.
Broad, aged 37, concluded his illustrious career in style at The Oval this summer, claiming the 604th and final wicket of his 16-year Test career to square the Ashes 2-2 with a 49-run victory over Australia.
Confirming his retirement from all forms of cricket on the penultimate evening of the match, Nottinghamshire has chosen to commemorate Broad with the same honor that Lancashire bestowed upon his long-time England teammate, James Anderson when they renamed Old Trafford’s Pavilion End in his honor in 2017.
Though Broad started his professional journey at Leicestershire, his connection to Trent Bridge ran deep even before he joined the county for the first of his 16 seasons in 2007. This strong bond was due to his father, Chris, who opened the batting for Nottinghamshire from 1984 to 1992 and currently serves as the club president.
Many of Broad’s most memorable moments in Test cricket occurred while bowling from the End that will now bear his name. In 2011, he altered the course of that summer’s second Test against India with the first of his two Test hat-tricks, a distinction that still remains unique to the ground. In 2015, he delivered his career-best spell of 8 for 15, decimating Australia by bowling them out for 60 on the opening morning of the fourth Test, effectively securing England’s reclamation of the Ashes.
Reflecting on this honor, Broad stated,
“When I first visited Trent Bridge, as a kid with dreams of pulling on the Nottinghamshire and England jerseys, I could never have imagined I’d be fortunate enough to enjoy so many memorable moments in the game. It’s a bit surreal to think that part of the ground where I fell in love with cricket will now bear my name.”
He continued,
“Playing for Notts has meant so much to me, and I’ve been so grateful that, wherever my career has taken me, I’ve always been able to come home to Trent Bridge. As someone who is Nottingham born and bred, this is an incredibly proud moment for myself and my family.”
During his illustrious career, Broad claimed 190 wickets in 43 appearances for county and country at Trent Bridge. He played integral roles in their 2010 County Championship victory, their Division Two title in 2022, and also featured in two one-day finals. Notably, he played a crucial role in winning the first of those finals against Glamorgan in 2013, finishing with figures of 3 for 29.
Nottinghamshire Chairman Andy Hunt expressed,
“Stuart’s achievements at the highest level are quite remarkable – it’s highly unlikely we’ll ever see another English bowler match his record over the past 15 years, let alone one from within our county’s borders. Throughout that time, Stuart has been the perfect ambassador for Nottinghamshire.”
He added,
“It feels only fitting that the end of his home ground where he recorded some of his greatest achievements will now serve as a permanent honor to his cricketing career.”
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