Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
Stuart Broad joined elite company, becoming just the seventh bowler in the history of the game to take 500 Test wickets.
Broad’s feat, achieved on the fifth morning of the third Test against West Indies, is testament to his longeivity and strength in times of adversity. 140 Tests for a pace bowler (only topped by teammate James Anderson) is extraordinary, and Broad enjoyed the moment, as he should.
Anderson, his partner in crime, gave him a quick cuddle. We are in the age of COVID-19, but this moment deserves some love.
Two-and-a-half years ago in Australia, many believed Broad was past his best. He’s bounced back. Many wrote him off in the early 2010’s, as the role of ‘enforcer’ didn’t reap in the wickets. But, when he made the key change of bowling fuller in the 2011 series against India, he has not looked back.
Now 34, Broad is bowling as well as he ever has. He was superb in last year’s Ashes, in South Africa at the turn of the year and now here against West Indies, after England inexplicably left him out at Southampton. His ability to move the ball either way, particularly with his cutters, has seen him continue to take a bagful of wickets.
There was deserved praise for this great achievement, as Broad further confirmed his status as one of England’s greatest bowlers.
Iconic moment
Stuart Broad vs James Anderson
Both are greats of English cricket, so it’s unfair on both to have a debate on who is better. However, given the longevity of both, predicting who will finish with more wickets is one tough ask. Opinions are split.
One thing Broad and Anderson can share is the victim of their respective 500th wicket. Kraigg Brathwaite was dismissed by Anderson in 2017, and was dismissed by Broad today.
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