AUS vs ENG: Ricky Ponting Hails Stuart Broad As "Ultimate Ashes Warrior" After Shock Retirement Announcement

Legendary Australia National Cricket Team captain Ricky Ponting has showered rich praise on the England National Cricket Team pacer Stuart Broad following his shock retirement announcement.

After the play on Day 3 of the Ashes finale, Stuart Broad dropped a bombshell as he announced that he has made up the decision to retire after the ongoing 5th Test at the Kennington Oval in London.

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Speaking on Sky Sports, Ricky Ponting labeled Broad as the “ultimate Ashes warrior”. The Australian great also lauded the right-arm quick for his outstanding longevity and for making a consistent appearance in the Ashes.

“The ultimate Ashes warrior. 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,” he said.

Broad will go down as one of the greatest cricketers to represent England in international cricket. He is among the two pacers in the history of Test cricket alongside his long-time bowling partner James Anderson to pick up 600 wickets and he currently sits at the fifth spot on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: Stuart Broad Makes Shocking Retirement Announcement

We talk about Ben Stokes being the ultimate warrior but Broad is the ultimate Ashes warrior – Ricky Ponting

Ponting added that Ben Stokes is often labeled as the ultimate warrior but the title belongs to Broad, who has been sensational with the ball over the years in the marquee Ashes series. He said:

“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. 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.”

England great Alastair Cook also hailed Stuart Broad while expressing his surprise over the retirement announcement. He said that Stuart Broad has been delivering for England in big moments consistently. He told the BBC Test Match Special:

“I’m a bit emotional and surprised but if you look at the schedule for Stuart Broad. You have India away, Sri Lanka, and West Indies next summer. No offense to those sides but Broad is about big moments. So, for him to get through to another big moment is probably another two-and-a-half years. The one player to deliver, alongside Ben Stokes, in the big moments is Stuart Broad. And what a feeling that must be for a player.”

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