Australia’s Ashes enemy Stuart Broad may be long retired, but he is coming Down Under again anyway in a new role to torment local cricket fans.
Broad is set to join Channel Seven’s commentary team for the 2025-26 Ashes series that commences from November 21.
While he is a big name that will join the likes of Aussie Test champions Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, many Aussies will have a long memory about the time the Broad didn’t walk.
Stuart Broad chose not to walk after edging to first slip during the first Test of the 2013 Ashes at Trent Bridge, remaining at the crease despite knowing he was out.
The umpire gave him not out and he went on to score an unbeaten 65, helping England win the match by 14 runs.
Broad’s decision sparked fierce backlash, especially from parts of the Australian media and former players who accused him of violating the spirit of cricket.
England’s Stuart Broad will join Channel Seven’s commentary team for the coverage of the 2025/26 Ashes series
The former fast bowler has been a constant tormentor of Australian top orders and has also played the role of pantomime villain
West Indies great Michael Holding publicly demanded that Broad be banned, calling his action ‘contrary to the spirit of the game’.
Then, in the return series in Australia, News Corp‑owned newspapers led a campaign dubbed the ‘Broad Ban’, which amplified criticism and mockery of his decision in the press.
Broad has consistently stated he has no regrets, famously saying ‘I wouldn’t change it for anything’ because the extra runs helped England win the match.
He has described the controversy as overblown and believes much of it stemmed from Australian frustration at losing the game.
Broad has also noted that not many modern players consistently choose to walk, and that the umpire’s decision must stand.
But speaking in commentary with English star Michael Atherton during the final Test between England and India, Broad finally admitted he would cop being called a cheat for his actions at Trent Bridge 12 years ago.
‘Well, Stuart, just to reflect on a bit of news that emerged from Down Under overnight that seems to have gone down like a bucket of sick with the locals, namely that you’re going to be commentating on one of the local channels in the Ashes,’ Atherton said on Sky Sports.
‘Just a reminder of how popular you are down there, the Brisbane Courier Mail, that couldn’t bring themselves to put a photo of you on the front page and then called you a smug, pommy, cheat, Broadban.
Broad earned the ire of Australians when he nicked the ball to the slips at Trent Bridge in 2013, but refused to walk when the umpire ruled it was not out
Despite evidence showing that Broad had nicked the ball, he has constantly defended his actions that helped inspire an England win
‘Are you looking forward to going down to Australia this winter to commentate on the Ashes?,’
Broad laughed and said he can agree with the ‘Pommy and cheat’ bit, but he doesn’t think he is ‘smug.’
‘Well, I sort of obviously agree with the pommy and the cheat bit, but I don’t think I’m smug,’ he said.
Broad said that he was looking forward to being part of The Ashes on the other side of the camera and was expecting one of the tightest series yet on Australian soil.
‘Incredible commentary lineup to be a part of, brilliant cricket brains … have worked with Ricky quite a bit and worked with Haydos on the World Test Championship Final,’ he said.
‘So really respect their views on the game and what’s going to be, in my opinion, one of the most exciting Ashes series action series for a long time.
‘I think both teams are matched up quite nicely. Obviously, Australia have had the better of England for a long time, over in Australia, but England are coming with a pretty strong team.
‘So I’m really excited to give my views on how I think the series will go, and call it live.’
