Stuart Broad's reign of terror over Australia is almost over, after the veteran seamer made the shock announcement that he will retire after the fifth Ashes Test.
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Broad confirmed after play on Saturday that the current Test at The Oval would be his last, bringing down one of the most distinguished careers in the English game.
The 37-year-old will finish as England's second-leading wicket-taker of all time, after last week becoming only the fifth man in history to surpass the 600-mark in Test cricket.
Broad said he had made the decision late on Friday evening, calling captain Ben Stokes into his hotel room to inform him of the decision.
Broad's 151 wickets against Australia is the second-most in Test cricket, while his number of Ashes scalps is topped only by Shane Warne (195) and Glenn McGrath (157).
Included in those are 17 dismissals of David Warner, with his record over the Australian opener the equal-third best in Test history.
Broad also dismissed former captains Steve Smith and Michael Clarke 11 times, and is arguably the biggest reason Australia have not won a series in England since 2001.
"There is something in my family history with Ashes cricket," Broad said.
"I grew up besotted by it. My influential years as a as a kid playing cricket, we weren't winning many Ashes Tests and I think that grew my hunger and desire.
"Ultimately, I think the competitiveness of what Australia bring to cricket brings out the best in me, I love that eye-to-eye battle. I love the energy the crowd brings.
"I know my emotions have to be sky-high for me to be a good bowler. And my competitive spirit has to be sky high for me to be a good bowler.
"I can promise you every time I have run in against Australia they have been there."
Broad can inspire England to one final win over Australia at The Oval to level the series at 2-2, after he and James Anderson took them to stumps with a 377-run lead on Saturday with one wicket in hand.
The right-armer first made an impact against Australia in 2009, taking 6-91 at Headingley in the fourth Test and then 5-37 at The Oval to win the series for England.
"That was when I felt like I belonged on the international stage," Broad said.
"The first time I'd really bowled a spell that changed a game and got important wickets."
Broad's 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015 will also live long in Australia's memory, killing off Australia's hopes on that tour and providing the highlight of an international career that has featured 845 wickets.
Broad said he was grateful James Anderson was not going out in unison with him, despite question marks over the England seamer's future with his 41st birthday on Sunday.
"It never felt quite right for the two of us to go together. I think we needed some sort of crossover," Broad said.
"It's nice that there'll be sort of one half of that partnership still within the changing room."
Australian Associated Press
