Stuart Broad stood his ground after a massive edge was caught at slip, refusing to walk. The umpire gave him not out, infuriating Australia.
The 2013 Ashes was the most anticipated series in years. England, under Alastair Cook, were riding high — holders of the urn after their 2010-11 triumph in Australia and fresh from another home victory in 2009. Australia, under Michael Clarke, were rebuilding after a difficult period but had genuine match-winners and, most significantly, the motivation of three consecutive Ashes defeats to avenge.
Stuart Broad was one of England's key all-rounders — a tall, right-arm fast bowler who had developed significantly as a Test-match batsman. He was combative by nature, competitive, and had no shortage of confidence. His batting had already contributed to England victories and was a genuine weapon in their lower order.
Australia's touring squad included Ashton Agar, a young left-arm spinner making his debut at Trent Bridge who had already electrified the series with a first-ball duck followed by a stunning 98 batting at number 11. The context was high-drama Ashes cricket at Trent Bridge, one of England's most atmospheric Test venues, with the series finely balanced.
England's batting had struggled in the first innings, and when Broad came in, the match was delicately poised. The lower order needed to contribute. Broad and Graeme Swann were batting together, and the runs they could add would be crucial to giving England a competitive total and then something to defend.
Ashton Agar was bowling — the same debutant who had scored 98 as a number 11 just days earlier. He floated one up and Broad flashed at it outside off stump. The edge was thick, visible, and unmistakable. The ball carried through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who took it comfortably. The Australians erupted in a confident appeal. Every single Australian cricketer was certain it was out. The ball had clattered off the edge.
But umpire Aleem Dar looked unmoved. He paused, considered, and shook his head. Not out. Australia turned to DRS — and then remembered they had none left. They had used their reviews already. Broad stood his ground. He had edged it; he knew it. But he didn't walk.
During the 1st Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in 2013, Stuart Broad edged a delivery from Ashton Agar straight to first slip via the wicketkeeper's gloves. The edge was massive and clearly visible to everyone in the ground — except, apparently, the umpire, who gave it not out.
Broad stood his ground and refused to walk, which was his right under the Laws of Cricket. Australia were furious, with players unable to believe the decision. There was no DRS available for the series (the BCCI had opposed its use), meaning Australia had no avenue to challenge the decision. Broad went on to score important runs that influenced the result.
The incident divided cricket opinion sharply. Some argued Broad was within his rights and that the responsibility lies with the umpire, not the batsman. Others felt it was against the spirit of cricket to stand when you clearly knew you were out. Australian coach Darren Lehmann's subsequent comments urging fans to make Broad cry escalated the controversy further. The incident became a recurring talking point throughout the Ashes summer.
Ashton Agar bowls Broad — thick outside edge caught cleanly by Brad Haddin at first slip
Australians appeal confidently — every player certain it was out — umpire Aleem Dar shakes his head
Australia look to DRS — discover they have no reviews remaining. No recourse available.
Broad stands his ground, expressionless — refuses to walk despite the obvious edge
Broad and Swann put on 37 runs — Broad scores 65, giving England a crucial total
England win by 14 runs — Australian fury at Broad's non-walk defines the series narrative
12 July 2013
Broad edges Ashton Agar to Haddin at first slip — umpire Dar gives not out
Same day
Australia look for DRS — none remaining. Broad stays. Scores 65.
Same day
England post a total boosted by Broad's innings — win by 14 runs
Pre-2nd Test
Darren Lehmann's radio comments urging fans to boo Broad go viral — he is fined
All summer 2013
Broad booed at every ground in England by Australian fans — embraces the hostility
2013-14 Ashes
Broad booed relentlessly in Australia — becomes the series' most booed player in decades
“Standing your ground is every batsman's right under the Laws. I wasn't given out. So I wasn't out.”
“Boo that bloke Broad all summer — I want to see him cry. I want him to go home early.”
“I don't walk. Never have. If the umpire gives you not out, you're not out. That's the game.”
“The Australians had no reviews left. That is what cost them. Not Broad standing — but their DRS management.”
England won the 1st Test by 14 runs — a narrow, tense victory in which Broad's innings, built after the not-out decision, proved decisive. The Australian reaction was one of barely contained fury. Players and captain Clarke made pointed comments about the spirit of cricket but were helpless within the Laws — standing your ground is a batsman's prerogative.
The controversy escalated spectacularly when Australian coach Darren Lehmann, broadcasting on radio before the 2nd Test, urged Australian fans to "boo that bloke Broad all summer" and make him cry. Lehmann was fined by Cricket Australia for the comments, but the damage was done — the instruction was issued, and Australian fans obliged enthusiastically.
For the remainder of that Ashes summer and the return series in 2013-14, Broad was subjected to unrelenting booing from Australian crowds at every ground. It became one of the most sustained hostile receptions any visiting player has received in Ashes history. Broad appeared to revel in it, performing well in the face of the hostility and using it as fuel.
No formal action — standing your ground is a batsman's right. But the incident fuelled the Ashes fire and debates about sportsmanship vs gamesmanship.
The Broad non-walk became the central exhibit in cricket's recurring debate about walking — whether batsmen have a moral obligation to depart when they know they are out, regardless of the umpire's decision. Traditionalists argued that Broad's behaviour was against the spirit of cricket and set a poor example. Pragmatists countered that standing is a batsman's right, that the umpire is there to make decisions, and that the introduction of DRS had made walking essentially obsolete.
The incident also had practical consequences for DRS strategy. Australia's inability to challenge the decision because they had exhausted their reviews crystallised the argument that DRS management is as important as any other tactical element of Test cricket. The pressure to "save" reviews for moments exactly like that one became a recurring theme in post-match analysis for years.
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