'Stuart Broad is the ultimate Ashes warrior': Ex-Aussie captain swoons over English pacer

The Australian cricket team started off well on Day 4 of the fifth Ashes 2023 Test against England while chasing a total of 384 runs. Aussie openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner have already added 135 runs for the first wickets at Stumps on the fourth day and need a total of 249 more runs to win on Day 5. However, other than Australia's exceptional batting performance, the match will be remembered for Stuart Broad announcing his retirement from international cricket.

3 things you need to know 

• The English cricket team was bundled for a score of 395 runs in their second innings 
• Australia need 384 runs to win the fifth Ashes 2023 Test 
• Australia lead the five-match series by a scoreline of 2-1 

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Ricky Ponting terms Stuart Broad as the Ashes' ultimate warrior

Former Australian cricket team captain Ricky Ponting believes that Stuart Broad is the ultimate Ashes warrior. Further adding to the point, the former Aussie skipper mentioned that the English pacer played his best cricket throughout the Ashes series. Ricky Ponting said on Sky Sports: 

I am a believer in judging players on longevity and maintaining such high standards at the absolute highest level. He has played 25 consecutive Ashes Tests at home, which is unbelievable in itself. We talk about Ben Stokes being the ultimate warrior but Broad is the ultimate Ashes warrior. All of his best cricket has been played in the Ashes series. 

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Ricky Ponting added:

People's names and reputations are forged in what they are able to achieve in the Ashes series and he can be mightily proud of what he has achieved. He will be remembered for how good he was in his last series. It is about the perfect time to go.

Stuart Broad made his international debut against Pakistan in the year 2006 and since has been a prime pacer for the English cricket team. Broad has picked up over 600 Test wickets for England and also is the highest wicket-taker against Australia. The English team will not be able to regain the 'coveted' urn event if they win the fifth Ashes 2023 Test. As the fourth match in Manchester ended in a draw, Australia retained the prestigious Ashes for the fourth consecutive time.