Broad claims 500th Test wicket to help England to series victory

Stuart Broad has no intention of walking off into the sunset any time soon, insisting his 500th Test wicket may not be the last historic landmark he reaches in an England shirt.

Broad started the month “frustrated, gutted and angry” after being overlooked for the first match of the summer against the West Indies but ends it riding higher than ever as player of the series in his side’s 2-1 win.

In helping England to victory in the last two Tests he has scooped 16 wickets at 10.93, become just the seventh member in one of the most exclusive clubs in cricket and forced a 269-run victory with just the third 10-wicket match of his career.

Throw in a sparkling 62 in the first innings and Broad has clearly had the time of his life since putting the earlier dent to his ego aside.

It is far from unusual to wonder how much more a 34-year-old fast bowler has to offer, not least one with 140 Tests on the clock across 13 years on the circuit, but Broad said: “A couple of weeks ago I was in a bit of a thinking place – I couldn’t leave a cricket ground where I’d been left out.

“I thought, ‘where am I going here?’. But I’m glad I stayed strong because I’m very happy two weeks later. To get to 500 is a special feeling,” he said.

“You always hear ex-sportsmen saying they knew when it was time to go, they lost that feeling. Well, I’ve still got it in abundance. I’m someone who looks pretty short-term but at the moment I feel fresh, I feel fit.

“Compare my last 18 months to my career record and it’s way better which is always a great sign.”

Broad’s achievement slightly overshadowed a wonderful spell from Chris Woakes, who claimed five for 50 to hasten the West Indies’ demise in Manchester, but it did not escape Broad’s attention.

Asked if he had commandeered the match-ball as a memento, he added: “I want Wiz (Woakes) to have it. He has bowled beautifully all series.

“Everyone is delighted for him, He is bowling as well as he ever has done and the game repaid him.”

Picture: PA. Stuart Broad celebrates after claiming his 500th Test wicket.