I owe so much to Botham, says super Stuart

BREAKING records is nice, but it is the theatre of Test cricket that keeps Stuart Broad running in for more. The 31-year-old seamer surpassed Sir Ian Botham’s career haul of 383 Test scalps on Saturday, a dramatic five-wicket haul in England’s innings victory over West Indies at Edgbaston taking his tally to 384. And while moving ahead of the legendary all-rounder into second on England’s leading wicket-takers’ list — behind only Jimmy Anderson’s 492 — was ‘really special’ for Broad, his thoughts soon turned to the many more intense battles he’ll have with top-order batsmen in the coming years. ‘I play cricket for the competitive side of it,’ he said. ‘I love that feeling of being in a battle, that feeling with the new ball, you’re getting an opening batsman out while they are desperate to survive. ‘I’ll play as long as that spirit and drive are there because that’s what gets me up in the morning, that feeling of having a batsman drive at you, play and miss. As soon as that goes, I’ll know I’m gone.’ Although he is too young to have witnessed Botham at his absolute peak, Broad was quick to hail the influence Beefy has had on his career. Broad said: ‘I was very fortunate to get my Test cap off him in 2007. In the past couple of years he has spent more and more time in the changing room and the guys really listen to him. He is passionate about English cricket and you can tell he wants us to do well. I think the players thrive off that. ‘I saw him and he was proud and delighted I’d managed to go past him. He said that we’ll share a nice bottle of wine later in the week. If he’s buying, that’s quite exciting!’

WEST INDIES batsman Kraigg Brathwaite is to have his off-spin action scrutinised by the ICC after being reported during the Edgbaston Test.