Broad and Anderson cherish captain Ben and Bazball

Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson have paid tribute to England captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.

The legendary fast-bowling duo walked out together for the last time on the final day of the Fifth Ashes Test at The Oval this summer.

Broad claimed the final wicket of Aussie wicket-keeper Alex Carey to secure victory and a 2-2 series draw before walking into the sunset.

The fairytale ending to his amazing career saw him finish runner-up to Mary Earps for the Sports Personality of the Year award, where he looked back fondly on his final years under Stokes' leadership.

Broad, 37, told LiveScore on the red carpet: "Ben really was instrumental [in my final years].

"I found it so, so difficult to walk away from that team to be honest. 

"It was so enjoyable, so much fun. It was like playing cricket for your club side when you were 14 years old again, only this time you're wearing an England shirt in front of 30,000 people.

"It was so great, the freedom they [Stokes and McCullum] brought to the team. The right mindset from the right people.

"And Ben is going to be a friend for life, he's a great person and an amazing captain."

Anderson echoed his close pal's thoughts prior to the SPOTY ceremony in Manchester, claiming the Stokes era has arguably been the best of his own incredible — and ongoing — career.

He said: "Ben and Brendon have been amazing. It's been two of my favourite years playing the game.

"The way we play, the enjoyment and fun we have on the pitch and just being positive all the time. 

"You know, cricket over five days is tricky. Sometimes you can get quite negative and down on yourself. But not with this team and captain."

Off to India

Anderson will continue his Test career, which started in May 2003, when England travel to India in the new year and the 41-year-old is relishing the challenge.

He said: "I'm really excited, I love going to India. It's such a huge challenge for a seam and swing bowler.

"But it's one of those things, if you do well there you feel like you've really achieved something.

"It's just so exciting — but I'm also aware it's going to be really, really hard."

Broad is not part of the squad for the trip to India after retiring in the summer — a decision which he says still does not yet feel real.

He said: "No, it [retirement] hasn't quite set in yet. I think it's because I've not seen Jimmy or Ben in the whites with the cap on.

"The moment that happens I'll probably think, 'Wow OK, this is real'.

"The word former England player doesn't feel real yet, but it is."

Trust in Ollie

Captain Stokes could miss the First Test against India in Hyderabad as he recovers from knee surgery — although Anderson is confident in Ollie Pope's ability to step in as skipper when it kicks off on January 25.

He added: "Popey's been brilliant as vice-captain over the past 18 months or so.

"He's really grown into the role and matured as a person and player.

"Ollie's already shown some leadership in games for us on tour.

"He's been amazing with the group and he speaks so well, such a clear thought process with the way Ben and Brendon want to play."