Stuart Broad Counts Down Steve Smith's Farewell at The Oval

During the 5th and final Ashes Test at The Oval in 2023, Stuart Broad — who had already announced this would be his final Test match — engaged in some memorable gamesmanship with Steve Smith. With Smith widely expected to be playing his final Ashes match in England, Broad was caught on the stump microphone counting down Smith's supposed career milestones.

Broad was heard saying things like "Last time batting at The Oval" and counting down balls, adding psychological pressure to what was already an emotional occasion. It was classic Broad — cheeky, provocative, but never crossing the line into hostility. The two had a long history of encounters across multiple Ashes series.

The 2023 Ashes was already one of the most dramatic series in history, featuring the controversial Bairstow stumping at Lord's and several close finishes. Broad's mind games with Smith added another layer of theatre. Broad fittingly took the final wicket of the series — dismissing Alex Carey — to cap a remarkable career. The Broad-Smith exchanges encapsulated the playful yet intense rivalry that defines the Ashes.