Stuart Broad has silenced his detractors with aplomb after a splendid performance in the ongoing 3rd Test match between England and West Indies. After being dropped from the first Test, Broad has been in great form for his country. He picked up 6 wickets in the second Test while being the star man in the third. Broad has pushed England to the brink of victory with a combined return of six for 22 in the ongoing Test.
West Indies are chasing a target of 399 runs and have already lost two wickets for just 10 runs on Day 3. Broad will look to finish the job at hand on Day 4 while also looking towards completing a historic achievement.
Broad’s illustrious career wickets stand at 499, with just one remaining to reach the 500 milestone. This one wicket will make him just the second English bowler to pickup 500 test wickets after James Anderson.
He will be the slowest to reach the 500-wicket milestone. Muttiah Muralitharan completed the feat in 87 matches followed by Anil Kumble (105) and Shane Warne (108). Glenn McGrath picked up his 500th Test wicket in his 110th Test while Courtney Walsh and Anderson breached the mark in their 129th Test match respectively.
England batsman Rory Burns also hailed Broad’s accomplishments after the end of day’s play on Sunday.
“It’s a pretty ridiculous achievement to get to 500 (Test wickets),” said opening batsman Burns, with Broad on the brink of becoming just the seventh bowler — and only the fourth seamer after longtime England new-ball partner James Anderson, Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh — to achieve the feat.
Burns added that he hopes to be standing at gully when there is a nick from the batsman to Broad’s bowling. In this way, he would be able to contribute to Broad’s milestone moment.
“You feel every ball is going to come to you. We’ll be standing there waiting to catch it,” he added.
