Broad, who ended as the leading wicket-taker in the England-Pakistan Test series, in which Anderson claimed his 600th Test wicket, said it was too early to focus on the Ashes, which is scheduled to start in Australia in late 2021.

“There was talk in midsummer of him [Anderson] being past his best but we have a dreadful habit in this country of always looking to the future instead of enjoying what we have,” Broad wrote. “Why can’t we enjoy watching experienced, consistent players performing to a world-class level, and the fact that the England team is winning games?

“Look back at when England last won there in 2010/11: Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen all got big hundreds, scores of 150-plus. Ian Bell, Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior got hundreds, too. In all three wins, the team batted just once. Jimmy, Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett bowled in the mid-80s and England made big totals.”

Broad added that England’s hopes of reclaiming the urn in 2022 depended on the batsmen scoring enough runs to “keep the opposition out there until the second evening”.

“Steve Smith has batted against 90mph bowling throughout a career in which he averages the best part of 63,” Broad said. “But what he hasn’t done often is go out to bat having been fielding for two days and the opposition having a huge score on the board.

“Whoever we take, we have the talent within the bowling armoury to get wickets. Go through the list. Broad, Anderson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson. That is a unit that can take wickets Down Under, but there is no point any of the bowlers getting on the plane if we don’t get 400-plus in the first innings.

“So, if we are focusing on our own Champions League of two seasons away, let’s change the chat because big runs is key to winning back the Ashes.”