Stuart Broad insists England will not go easy on Australia captain Michael Clarke when he bows out of international cricket in the final Ashes Test this week.

Clarke announced his retirment after England moved into an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series with a thumping victory at Trent Bridge last time out, winning by an innings and 78 runs.

Broad proved inspirational as England assumed immediate control of that clash, returning remarkable bowling figures of 8-15 as the hosts bowled Australia out for 60 on the opening day.

And Broad says there will be no change in mentality as Australia prepare to bid farewell to one of their greats.

"I don't want to be fielding if he [Clarke is] getting a hundred," Broad told Omnisport. "I'm not really a sentimental guy.

"As an England fan, I don't like seeing Australia scoring hundreds.

"Hopefully we bowl well at him as we have done in the series so far and make it hard work for him. 

"He knows that's said with respect because we know how dangerous he is.

"I've got huge respect for Michael as a captain and as a player to play against. He's extremely competitive and hugely skillful.

"If a bloke averages 50 in Test cricket it's a great achievement.

"It's always a shame to see world-class players step away. You want to see the best players play. 

"He can be very proud of what he's achieved. He's the sort of player that will go down as an Australian great and he deserves to."