ENGLAND’S BROADSIDE
CRICKET THIRD TEST
by Dean wilSon
STUART BROAD singlehandedly ripped through the West Indies’ battling line-up to leave England on the verge of a series victory.
Broad took all six Windies wickets to fall on day three of the third test at Old Trafford.
By the close of play they were 10-2 – 389 runs from victory after Broad bowled then out for 197 in their first knock.
With Rory Burns hammering a quickfire 90 in England’s second innings, only the weather can save the tourists now.
Broad now stands just one wicket short of 500 in his Test career.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said: “Because Stuart Broad has had to always be around James Anderson it’s been Anderson then Broad.
“But what Stuart has achieved is remarkable.
“He’s had some low moments in the last few years where his rhythm and pace have been done.
“Maybe lockdown has done the trick for him – a time to just think about things, where he’s at and what he wants to achieve in his career.
“The way he’s been bowling, he’s guaranteed to reach 500 Test wickets in this match.”
With Burns and Dom Sibley reinforcing their grip on the top of the England order with a rare century opening stand of 114, there can surely be no escape for the Windies now.
A first innings lead of 172 thanks to Broad’s 6-31 was transformed into a fanciful target of 399 before he struck again with the 498th and 499th wickets of his career to leave the Windies 10-2 and in pieces.
Burns said: “Joe Root spoke to me at tea about possibly declaring tonight so after that we tried to nudge it on. The weather is