Broad aims to continue even after Ashes to help make the English Test team great again

At 34, Stuart Broad has been bowling better than ever and tremendous success in the last two seasons and has become indispensable at home conditions. However, many see the upcoming year-ending Ashes as the final hurray for the Nottinghamshire pacer, who at 34, doesn't have the age on his side. Yet, Broad outrightly refused any such thing, saying he is bowling better than ever and sees himself as a big part of England's aim to become the world's best Test side in the world.

"English cricket's mindset for as long as I can remember has been to work in four-year cycles, culminating in an away Ashes series. It tends to reset itself after tours Down Under and that is why a lot of players have played their last Test matches in Sydney. Some are dispensed with, others come in. But I don't envisage that happening to this England team because we're in the middle of an era of potential success, and it's not an ageing team that needs rebuilding," Broad wrote in his column for the Mail.

"Quite the contrary: this is a youngish team who need a bit of time. And I see myself as a big part of our aim to become the best Test team in the world. That isn't going to happen on January 18 next year, when the final Test finishes in Perth, but several months further down the line given where the team are now, third in the world behind this summer's opponents, New Zealand and India.

"Two years ago, when I set myself some goals on a tour of New Zealand, such as maintaining pace as a bowler, I saw the upcoming Ashes as my Olympics - something I really wanted to peak for."

He stated that the recent change in attitude towards older sportsmen is keeping him in good stead as he cited examples such as Jimmy Anderson, Tom Brady, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Phil Mickelson. 

"Of course, I still want to peak for it in terms of fitness, bowling rhythm and wickets. I just don't view it as the end goal as an Olympian might. Often they talk about their 'journey' when they pick up medals, as if their job is complete, but I don't want this Ashes to be my final destination in international cricket.

"Hopefully, I will be helped by what appears to be a recent change in attitude towards more experienced performers. There has been greater appreciation of those performing at an older age across several sports, such as Jimmy Anderson, Tom Brady, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Phil Mickelson," he concluded.