Cricket star Stuart Broad is rising from the ashes after devastating fire at pub

Catching up with the star fast bowler and part-time landlord during the second Test match against New Zealand this week, Broad insisted he is determined to rebuild and move on. "Reflecting on the events of the last week, one thing that has been such a comfort is the continued support, especially from our community," he says. "It genuinely feels like we have everyone rooting for us. We're working to revive our wonderful pub and look forward to welcoming back our local friends."

It is the second setback for Broad, after the first pub he and former Notts and England player Gurney bought together was closed in 2021 as a result of the pandemic.

After five years, the close friends decided not to extend the lease on The Three Crowns, near Loughborough, blaming a "turbulent 18 months for the hospitality industry", which involved lengthy periods of closure due to the coronavirus lockdown.

But despite this and the fire at the Tap & Run, in Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire - believed to be accidental - the sportsman and occasional Sky Cricket contributor still sees a future in the pub trade after he retires from sport - even if he won't be pulling pints on a day-to-day basis. "We're a business that wants to progress and grow each year," he says. "Cricket will be in my life in some capacity, whether that's coaching or punditry which I enjoy because it keeps you really close to how the game is moving forward.

"The pub business is something I'm interested in and something that will keep me connected every month, but not something where I'm going to be behind the bar pulling pints and doing the day-to-day.

"That's what Harry has gone into full-time and is doing fantastically well."

That's not to say Broad is not taking a close interest