#OTD in 2015: Stuart Broad produces career-best spell to help England regain The Ashes

Stuart Broad in 4th Ashes Test

On this day, seven years ago, England regained the Ashes by winning by an innings and 78 runs against Australia at Nottingham. In this pursuit, Stuart Broad registered his career-best bowling performance in red-ball cricket. 

 Ahead of this game, England were leading the five-Test match series 2-1. They certainly had to produce a strong fightback on their home turf after losing to Australia 5-0 in the Ashes 2013. 

Stuart Broad, Joe Root help England take a sizeable lead in first innings

The hosts won the toss and invited Australia to bat in overcast conditions. Broad put the opposition under pressure by sending Chris Rogers (0) and Steve Smith (6) back into the hut in the first over. In the subsequent over, Mark Wood dismissed David Warner (0) as well. 

To add to the misery, Shaun Marsh (0) and Adam Voges (1) were dismissed soon by Broad, with the latter getting holed out to a blinder by Ben Stokes. The pacer Mitchell Johnson (13) was the top-scorer, with the visitors getting all-out for a total of 60. 

Broad finished with figures of 8/15 in 9.3 overs, and registered his best figures in the purest format.

In response, England declared on 391/9, with Joe Root (130) and Jonny Bairstow (74) as the key contributors. For Australia, Mitchell Starc took six wickets. 

England win the Ashes 2015 

Australia were enforced a follow-on after trailing by 331 runs in the first innings. The openers, Rogers (52) and Warner (64) were impressive to lay a strong platform for the team. However, only Voges (51) was a notable contributor in the middle-order, with Australia getting dismissed on 253. 

Stokes was the pick of the bowlers for Three Lions with six scalps. Broad was adjudged as Player of the Match for his contribution of nine wickets and 24 runs with the willow across the game. 

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