Stuart Broad interview: “I want to thank Trent Bridge for my special year”

For Stuart Broad 2015 has been full of ups and downs.

The Nottinghamshire bowler experienced devastation in March when England were knocked out of the cricket World Cup in Australia at the pool stage.

But it was his homecoming to Nottingham five months later that provided the setting for a now-legendary moment.

Broad wrenched the Ashes from Australia by taking eight wickets for just 15 runs on the first day of the test.

The rest of the match was almost academic, as the Trent Bridge crowd watched a rampant England capitalise on Broad’s record bowling.

The image of a disbelieving Broad, holding his hands to his face after the rout, became an iconic Trent Bridge moment.

So where will 2015 rank in the bio of one of cricket’s poster boys?

“It has been such a special year,” Broad told Notts TV News, before he flew out to help England face South Africa.

“Going into the Ashes series as quite heavy underdogs – to go and win that and win it in the style we did, with exciting cricket, the crowds that turned out, will live long in the memory.

I get goosebumps every time I walk in

“I think it’s the highlight of my cricketing career – regaining the Ashes at Trent Bridge for the first time ever. I’ll never forget that.

“I’ve been back to the ground quite a few times since that day and I do get goosebumps every time I walk in.”

In Pictures: Broad celebrates with Trent Bridge fans after his 8-15 performance against the Aussies

He said: “The Trent Bridge members and the fans at the ground, always make me feel so welcome, every single time I go down there. It feels like home.”

Home is now in Nottingham for Broad, who was born in the city but grew up in Leicestershire, where his bowling pace stood out from an early age and earned him a move to Notts.

Now an international cricket and sporting star, the 29-year-old still feels most in the groove when he’s by the Trent.

The 174-year-old ground is now clearly a place close to Broad’s heart, and he also owes thanks to the Notts faithful, he says.

“I’ve bowled thousands of balls there in my career. It really relaxes me.”

The ground, he adds, was a massive part of his and his team’s success against Australia.

“Every player you speak to loves playing at Trent Bridge. You get such great support from the fans.

“If we have had a bad session or a bad day, we will get cheers the next day and that’s encouraging.”

Just last month, Broad launched his new book ‘Broadside: How We Regained The Ashes’.

It sold out in a day at Waterstones in the city when he came to meet fans and sign copies, proving just how ‘box office’ the 6ft 6ins seamer has become.

Another yardstick came earlier this month when we was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Nottingham.

But in person Broad remains gentle, quiet even, although he carries a calm confidence.

Picture: Trent Bridge has become Broad’s bowling fortress

And despite a hectic 2015, it would seem there is no rest for the wicked.

He will be spending his Christmas Day training ahead of England’s Boxing Day test match in South Africa.

“It’s very weird training on Christmas day, I must admit. When nine o’clock comes, we’ll go out to training. I might wear a Santa hat but it’s very much just another day before a test match.

“We start on boxing day so it’s very much business as usual, rather than Christmas celebrations.”