Two years have passed since the non-walking incident at Trent Bridge, and Stuart Broad continues to be Australia’s most hated man in world sport.
During the first Test of the 2013 Ashes series Broad edged spinner Ashton Agar to first slip but refused to walk after being given not out by umpire Aleem Darr.
Why was more scrutiny not placed on the terrible umpiring decision? Why wasn’t more spotlight placed on Australia having no reviews left?
“It’s an interesting debate, the walking one,” said Broad following the incident in 2013.
Did he blatantly ignore traditional cricket sportsmanship? Yes. But so did now-retired Australian captain and champion Michael Clarke.
During the second Test against India in the 2007-08 summer, Clarke edged Anil Kumble to first slip to be dismissed first ball. Yet he lingered at the crease, waiting for the umpire to give him out formally.
Do we detest him for showing a similar vein of sportsmanship? No.
This is not a piece to belittle Clarke – he is an Australian champion and should be shown respect.
But since that 2013 incident, Broad has proved himself again and again the ultimate competitor. In the 2013-14 Ashes series in Australia, the Englishman finished as England’s leading wicket-taker with 21. He charged in and gave everything he had in the face of continued defeat, eventuating in a 5-0 Ashes whitewash.
While the likes of James Anderson and Graeme Swann seemingly gave up, Broad battled through injury to represent England.
He showed the heart of a man who loves to play for his country. He played along with the crowds, as they hurled abuse at him around every venue in Australia. He stirred up the media. He did it all with a smile on his face – much as Mitchell Johnson has during the recent series in England.
As Australia stared down defeat during the third Test, Johnson pulled out of a delivery twice to add to the drama of the game. Brilliant. The Barmy Army jeered and cheered, relishing the spectacle.
So why don’t we afford Broad similar respect? Here is a man who claimed 8/15 to spur his side to win back the Ashes – a colossal effort – yet on social media he is still labelled a ‘wanker’, a ‘tosser’ and a ‘deadest shit bloke’.
Off the field, Broad helps run ‘The Broad Appeal’, a foundation set up to aid the research and support of those suffering motor neurone disease. Since 2010, the foundation has raised over $500,000.
Yet comments on the Cricket Australia Facebook page link to Broad’s foundation say things such as “still didn’t walk” and “he’s a tosser”. That says more about the Australian cricketing public than Broad’s decision to remain at the crease two years ago.
You don’t have to like him, but at least afford him the respect his performances on and off the field demand.
Australians love a battler, someone who gives 100 per cent every time. Stuart Broad ticks all those boxes, and a few more.
Howzat
Guest
Well one way of looking at it would be that - Dar made a mistake, the Aussies made a mistake - Broad cheated. Big difference.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
The main difference between Broad not walking and other blokes in history not walking (including is dad) is that Broad practially nicked it to gully and took a chunk out of his bat in the process. Sounded like a wood-chopper felling a great Ash. Then he follows it up with a look of guilty deceipt all over his face and a smirk that said, "how did the umpire not see and hear that?". That cheating cost us the Ashes. He's not comfortable with chin music on fast decks either. The cheating, dumb bloke can bowl though and he has a crack.
Rodger
Roar Rookie
Agree completely. When things don't go Andersons way, I find he becomes disenchanted - always found Broad to just keep on giving until the final ball of the test - see the New Zealand test a couple years back when he batted for around 80 balls for about 4 runs to help save a test match. Gutsy
The Bush
Roar Guru
Broad has a pretty smug look and the vitriol against him can be funny. However personally I reckon Anderson is far less likable.
Sean Bell
Roar Rookie
Broad is the kinda guys opposition fans love to hate. He is a very good cricketer, often brilliant in English conditions. Personally i can't stand the sight of his smug, self satisfied, fat head. It really twisted me up to see him tear the Aussies apart. But never in a millions years should he have walked and anyone that says he should have is so one eyed. I didn't hear many people calling for Symond's head when he middled that ball from Sharma to the keeper, started walking, saw Bucknor's finger by his side, turned around and patted down the wicket, then went on to score a big hundred and win us the match (hilarious unless you are an Indian). I might not like Broad but i have never bothered to dislike someone who wasn't a bloody good player. I take my hat off to the tosser.
Birdy
Guest
"After Joe Root, he has the most smackable face. I wish Warner decked him." Warner did try to 'deck' him. He identified the youngest, skinniest, most mild-mannered kid in the England team and took a drunken swing at him and missed. Tells you all you need to know about Warner. Aussies 'hate' English cricketers' and 'poms' hate Aussie cricketers. The only difference is the rest of the world seems to hate Aussie cricketers as well
JohnB
Guest
Funny how 21 wickets doesn't equal 21 wickets. Broad on the 2013/14 tour bowled really well on the first day of the first test, putting his team in a pretty strong position (for pretty much the last time before the series was lost). He then chips in with wickets here or there but nothing decisive in the rest of the tour, and that first day haul which set up a winning position is his only 5 for in the series. He ends with 21 wickets. Come 2015 and he's near enough to man of the series - with 21 wickets (and again just the one 5 for - although that one did win the match). I've never found Broad particularly likable (you can point to time wasting incidents and the like but for me it was always just his air) but no actual cricket follower would ever hold the non-walking against him.
fp11
Guest
Yes, they are, but they are Australian. Broad is not.
TheTruth
Guest
I love Broad. As stated, he exhibits all the qualities we praise in an Australian cricketer. As for the 'walking incident', as far as I'm concerned, you're not out until the ump raises his finger.
Disco
Guest
No Australian cricketers are rich nor arrogant, of course. 'After Joe Root, he has the most smackable face. I wish Warner decked him.' (See also, boorish Australian fans who give the rest a bad name)
peter chrisp
Guest
MR have to agree, as much as the Pommies hate or disrespect Clarke, most likely it works the other way too, how many Aussies respect Broad after that incident i'd say no one, but the way i look at it did the umpire give him out? No doubt both players new they were "out" but did the umpire point the finger if not you stay @ the crease and i can't remember were both incidents reviewed by the 3rd Umpire or what ever system they had in place?
Rodger
Roar Rookie
As much as Broad himself though? No batsman is made to walk! Poor umpiring decision by Dar, poor review selection by Australia and Broad walked away the villain
Tony Tea
Guest
"Why was more scrutiny not placed on the terrible umpiring decision? Why wasn’t more spotlight placed on Australia having no reviews left?" I take it this is rhetorical trick used to build a point. Dar copped heaps, and so did the Aussies for burning reviews.
Disco
Guest
Clarke actually did it twice against India, and also during the 2010/11 Ashes. The outcry over the Broad 'incident' was borne of entrenched jingoism which selectively applies cricketing ethics depending on one's nationality.
Face full
Guest
A brave article to post on here... All true though. Every story needs a villan. I guess broard is our Johnson. We hate him becasue he has and probably will again destroy us with a moment of sporting greatness. Even the most die hard cricketing nationalists know deep down these guys are what makes the game so great to watch.