Veteran England pacer Stuart Broad shocked the world by announcing his retirement from all forms of professional cricket at the end of the ongoing fifth Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval.

One of the five bowlers to take over 600 Test wickets, Broad confirmed his decision after the close of play on Day 3 at The Oval.

Broad’s decision left the English cricket fraternity emotional. Australia too acknowledged his greatness by forming a guard of honour at the start of the fourth day’s play.

Broad walked out to bat alongside Anderson as the hosts look to add to their overnight score of 389/9 and set a massive target for Australia. As expected, the capacity crowd at the iconic stadium have a big round of applause and a standing ovation before Pat Cummins and his men formed a guard of honour.

Right at the end of it, Australia’s star batter Steve Smith cheekily gestured towards Anderson to walk in as well with the visiting players still in the formation.

Here’s the video:

Before the Oval Test, James Anderson expressed his desire to continue playing Test cricket. Notably, Anderson’s performance hasn’t been up to the mark in the Ashes 2023, claiming only four wickets from the three Tests.

"I still feel like I'm bowling well. I have certainly not had the returns I would have liked in this series. Everyone goes through a lean patch but you just don't want it to be in the most high-profile series we play. 10 or 15 years ago the debate would be about whether I should be dropped. Now it is about my future. I understand that. It is The Oval, the end of a series and a time for speculation," Anderson wrote in his latest column for The Telegraph.

"I keep talking to the coach and captain. They want me around, so as long as I am still hungry, and want to put in the work then I will keep trying to give my best for the team. That is exactly where I am at the minute," he added.

Anderson further said that his body is holding up well enough to deal with the rigorous of five-day cricket and he could still contribute to England's success.

"There are no thoughts about retirement. If I was bowling horrendously, with my pace down and hobbling around in the field I might be thinking differently. But the hunger is still there. I feel like I'm bowling well, that I can still offer something to the team," he stated.