Incredible deja vu as Stuart Broad makes cricket history
Stuart Broad secured his place among the pantheon of great pace bowlers with a 500th Test wicket but the landmark had a sense of deja vu about it for a West Indies batsman.
Broad had spent two successive nights lingering on 499 but ensured his wait would not carry on beyond this third Test, pinning Kraigg Brathwaite lbw in the morning session for his landmark scalp then returning to put the finishing touch on a 269-run victory.
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But it must have been a sense of deja vu for Brathwaite who entered the record books with an unwanted slice of history.
The West Indian batsman became the first Test cricketer to be dismissed for a bowler’s 500th wicket twice.
And the bowler happened to be Broad’s bowling partner James Anderson when he dismissed him three years ago.
As well as making him just the seventh bowler in history to reach the remarkable landmark - and the trajectory of the sport gives every reason to believe he might also be the last - Broad's first-innings 62 and match figures of 10-67 ensured it would be England who won the last ever tussle for the soon-to-be-retired Wisden Trophy.
The 34-year-old enjoyed his moment, 13 years and 140 caps in the making, though the eerie silence of a 'bio-secured' Old Trafford was hardly befitting of a feat as lofty as this one.
Reflecting on England's comprehensive victory, Broad said: "It was very special to have got (500 wickets) and even more so to help win a test that helps to win the series for us," he told Sky.
"We were relentless, each bowler brings something different. In spells coming on, bowlers were able to have an instant impact. We all bowled really well as a group."
The empty stands will not concern Broad, though, and he should rightly cherish his elevation to an elite group of a seamers that includes his long-time partner James Anderson, Courtney Walsh and Australian great Glenn McGrath as its only previous members.
Woakes steers England to series win
Despite Broad’s milestone, it was Woakes’ day after a brilliant five-for from Chris Woakes powered England to a 2-1 series win over the West Indies.
It is no spoiler to reveal that Woakes will not be joining their number, standing as he does on 106 wickets from 35 appearances, but he remains one of the most skilful operators around.
He shouldered the responsibility of driving forward the England cause, taking 5-50 in a long unbroken shift that saw the tourists rolled for 129 all out.
With one wicket still needed Broad returned for one last effort and did the job with his first ball, Jermaine Blackwood flapping down leg side.
With AAP
