Stuart Broad’s mum believes that now is the perfect time for her son to retire as he brings the curtain down on hugely impressive career

Stuart Broad‘s mum believes that now is the perfect time for him to retire.

Broad received a guard of honour from Australia at the Oval on Sunday after announcing his decision to retire from cricket. 

His mother feels that Broad, 37, is making the right decision and stated that she is eager for England to win in order to mark the occasion. 

England are looking to draw the Ashes series, although Australia have already retained the urn.  

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Broad’s mum Carole said: ‘We want to win it today. We knew for certain in the morning, our lips were sealed but yesterday was a great batting day so I had something to focus on. Of course you have conversations but Stuart is a master of making the right decision and he’s done it again.

Stuart Broad’s mum believes that her son has decided to retire at the right time

Carole Broad stated her wish for England to win Broad’s final Test to honour the occasion

‘He is feisty in everything but not feisty at home. In anything, he is competitive and he doesn’t like coming second. I don’t know what it is about the Ashes, it’s just something extra special and I’ve always said to him you know you can carry on when you tingle when you walk on to the pitch.’

Carole provided further background on Broad’s love for cricket from an early age.  

She said: ‘For years, he always wanted a ball for his birthday. He’s played all sports and he has something extra that every person in this field does.

‘He never broke a window and we never had any ornaments. We had a floodlight put in so he could play at night. His bat was precious. Gemma trained him, she could catch better than him.

‘It’s their story, it’s about people and the comradery we have as parents is immense.

‘They can be what they want to be and if you want to, you’re going to do it. You don’t need your mum to say it. I’d always say to him: ‘Did you enjoy it?’

‘He was like me, I was tiny as a short teenager and then shot up and the same happened to Stuart, he grew six inches in a year.’

Carole added that seeing Broad play for England is still a very emotional experience. 

She said: ‘If I look at Cook or Anderson, I get very emotional. When the hard bits come, it’s all about people. He told me he doesn’t want a fuss but I thought, I want him to have a fuss!

Broad’s mother said that she still feels very proud each time that she sees her son play

‘The first day I saw him come down the stairs I got a tingle and I still get that. I just really want them to win.’

Earlier this month Broad became only the second seamer in history to reach 600 Test wickets. 

The final Ashes Test will be the last of his 17-year career and he will now join the Sky Sports commentary team.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Saturday, Broad said: ‘Tomorrow or Monday will be my last day of cricket. It has been a wonderful ride – a huge privilege to wear the Nottinghamshire and England badge as much as I have and I am loving cricket as much as I ever have. This series has just felt like it’s been one of the most enjoyable and entertaining and I always wanted to finish at the top.

‘I made the decision about 8.30pm last night. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, a few weeks. England vs Australia has always been the pinnacle for me – I have loved the battles with Australia that have come my way and the team’s way. I have a love affair with Ashes and I think I wanted my last bat and bowl to be in Ashes cricket

‘I told Stokesy last night and told the changing room this morning and to be honest it just felt the right time. I didn’t want my friends or Nottingham team mates to see things that might come out so I prefer to just say it and just give it a good crack for the last Australia innings

‘I have thought a lot about it and even up until 8pm last night, I wasn’t 50/50 but even when I went up to Stokesy’s room and told him I have felt really happy since and content with everything I have achieved.’