James Anderson shares thought on his first meeting with Stuart Broad

With more than 1000 Test wickets between them, Anderson and Broad have scripted a number of series wins for England in the last decade.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad | Getty

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are certainly among the most destructive bowling pairs of all times. With more than 1000 Test wickets between them, the duo have scripted a number of series wins for England in the last decade.

Anderson (575) and Broad (437) are England's leading Test wicket-takers and they have claimed as many as 851 scalps while on the field together. The combo of Glenn McGrath-Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan-Chaminda Vaas are only ahead of them.

In his recently released autobiography "Bowl. Sleep. Repeat.", Anderson has written about the rapport he shares with Broad.

"It's surreal we've taken more than 1,000 wickets between us," news.com.au quoted Anderson as saying in his book.

"We've never been in competition as bowlers because our skills are different. Stuart has been under pressure at times from bowlers who get steep bounce and move the ball off the seam and I have from the skiddier ones who swing the ball. It's never been me or him in selection," he added.

The right-arm fast bowler also revealed his first impression of Broad when the latter made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2007.

"The first time Stuart Broad walked into the dressing room, with his flowing blonde hair, striking blue eyes and perfect figure, I thought 'My God, she's beautiful'," wrote Anderson.

The 36-year-old further said both of them believe in bowling partnerships and that's one of the main reasons behind their success over a period of time.

"Part of our evolution as a partnership has been talking a lot. We've always had the attitude that fast bowling is something you do in partnerships. The conversation has really helped us," Anderson asserted.

"Stuart can produce moments of brilliance from nowhere and change a game in a short spell."

Another common factor between Anderson and Broad is their shared interest of sleeping.

"We have one vital shared interest. Everyone else wants to get in early to start practising. Broady and I would rather have another half-hour in bed. We try to get there at the last possible moment," Anderson said.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be seen in action during the much-anticipated Ashes Series at home, starting August 1.

(With IANS inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 22 May, 2019

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