England’s Stuart Broad became only the fifth bowler – alongside Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson and Anil Kumble – to take 600 Test wickets in his career.
The 37-year-old fast bowler achieved the feat on the first day of the Old Trafford Test against Australia when Travis Head hit a short-of-a-length delivery (barely faster than 130km/h) to Joe Root on the boundary has.
Broad took the wicket in his 166th Test and with the 33,560th delivery of his career.
“I remember how Ian Botham handed me my England cap before my first match against Sri Lanka in 2007. I think a key to my success is the fact that I am addicted to Test cricket; it is a great honor for me to now be part of an elite group of players,” said the fast bowler.
He is also in good spirits because the dangerous Head is his 600th victim.
“It felt like an important wicket. Travis came up with some excellent drives and we decided to pepper him with shorter deliveries. It was a huge bonus when this tactic worked immediately!”
Anderson – who boasts 681 wickets – was also on the field to celebrate his friend’s milestone. The two players’ fast bowling partnership is now worth more than 1,000 wickets.
Broad may not have as classic a bowling action as his 40-year-old teammate, but he possesses the unprecedented ability to knock out a host of batsmen in the blink of an eye – think, for example, of his performances against Australia at Trent Bridge and against the Proteas at the Wanderers.
“He is an excellent player and it looks like there is more than enough gas in his tank to continue playing for a few more years. The thing I admire most about him is that he gives his best with every sweet delivery,” South Africa’s Allan Donald shared on social media.
The Aussies had 299/8 on the scoreboard at halftime with Marnus Labuschagne (51) and Mitchell Marsh (51) scoring fifties.
England must win the Test if they still harbor dreams of walking away with the series laurels.
- Scorecard Summary:
Australia 299/8 in 83 overs: Marnus Labuschagne 51, Mitchell Marsh 51, Chris Woakes 4/52 and Stuart Broad 2/68.
???????????? moment.#EnglandCricket | #Ashes https://t.co/lz2j0t9LN5 pic.twitter.com/9RxHutgLDC
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 19, 2023
