In his illustrious Test career so far, England pacer Stuart Broad has played with or against a number of great players and thus choosing the best among them is a tough task.
However, Broad himself on Sunday (May 10) shortlisted the two cricketers he rates at the very top. The 138-Test veteran hailed all-rounder Ben Stokes as the best player he has played with, while he named Australia’s Steve Smith as the best batsman he has come up against.
"I feel very lucky to have the option to name a few here but, if I thought about three or four, I might get to between 10-15," Broad was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.
"So, being brutally strict, I would have to say Ben Stokes is the best I have played with, for the positive impact he can have on games with bat, ball and in the field.
"As for against, I am yet to figure out the best way to bowl at Steve Smith. He makes life tough for bowlers and has a huge hunger for big scores."
Stokes and Smith were the heroes for their respective teams during a tightly contested Ashes series last year which ended tied at 2-2.
While Smith almost single-handedly helped Australia to retain the Ashes with 774 runs, Stokes, with his all-round efforts (441 runs and8 wickets) ensured that England finished level with their opponents at home.
The duo were slated to turn up for the same team Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League before the COVID-19 pandemic brought an abrupt halt to sporting events all across the globe.
