ENG v WI 2020: Rory Burns heaps praise as Stuart Broad nears 500th Test wicket 

Broad is one short of becoming only the second England bowler to take 500 Test wickets.

Broad helped England continue dominating the third Test | AFP By following his six-fer in the first innings with another two scalps near the end of Day 3 in the ongoing third Test against West Indies, Stuart Broad not only put his team in a commanding position to reclaim the Wisden Trophy, but also got himself within the smallest possible margin of his 500th Test wicket, "a pretty ridiculous achievement" as per teammate Rory Burns. 

Broad slept after stumps on Sunday (July 26) feeling really satisfied that he has taken 499 wickets at an average of 28.00 and is just one short of the 500 milestone, reached by only one other England bowler, James Anderson, and five others in the history of the game. 

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"It's a pretty ridiculous achievement to get to 500 (Test wickets)," said Burns, who felt happy and excited about Broad's feat, in the virtual conference after stumps. "I'll be standing at gully and hopefully I'm going to catch it if he gets a nick."

"It's a nice place to be when his tail is up and he's bowling like this," he added. "You feel every ball is going to come to you. We'll be standing there waiting to catch it."

Broad was "angry and frustrated" after being dropped for the first Test in Southampton, but since his comeback has continued bowling in the form he did previously during the last year's Ashes and on the tour of South Africa. 

His 2/8 in three overs in the closing stages left the visitors reeling at 10 for 2 in a mammoth chase of 399. As had done his 6/31 in the first innings, where they were bowled out for just 197 in response to hosts' 369, in which Broad had contributed a reassuring half-century (62). 

Burns' 90, as well as fifties from fellow opener Dom Sibley (56) and skipper Joe Root (68*), had set-up England's declaration on 226/2 after 58 overs. 

(Quotes from AFP)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 27 Jul, 2020

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