Broad caps landmark with series win
He is looking good to overtake my record, Anderson says after England beat Windies
It could be an intriguing cricket quiz question a few years down the line: what is common between England pace bowling giants James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Kraigg Brathwaite? Believe it or not, the West Indies batsman was the both bowlers’ 500th Test victim.
If Anderson, the highest Test wicket-taker among pacers with 584 wickets, scalped Brathwaite three years back, while Broad trapped him leg before to claim his 500th wicket as the hosts scored a resounding 269-run win over the Caribbeans in the third and final Test at Old Trafford and wrap up the first Test series 2-1 yesterday.
Broad hence joined an elite club, finishing with match figures of 10-67, as the West Indies were bowled out for 129 in between several rain delays in Manchester. He became only the seventh bowler to make the list and at 34 years, he has a realistic chance to displace Anderson.
“The way Stuart’s bowled in the last two games has been absolutely phenomenal and an absolute credit to himself and the work he’s put in over the last few years,” Anderson told Sky Sports before the start of play on final day of the Test.
“He’s now getting the ball to shape away again. We’ve seen how lethal he is with that wobble seam that nips back and hits batsmen on the pads… There’s a very good chance that he’ll get more wickets to me if he carries on like this,” Anderson said. “I heard him say the other day, why can’t he carry on until he’s my age and that’s absolutely true. He’s in great shape.”