Seventh in the game's history to reach the 500 Test wickets milestone, Stuart Broad could well be the last. At least among pacers. With the cricketing calendar growingly skewed in favour of lucrative limited-overs matches, T20 leagues and Test cricket being marginalised, there is a genuine possibility that best of talents will not have the chance to make it among the 10,000 run-makers and 500 Test wicket-takers.
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"Someone is going to have to play a lot of cricket because there is a lot of competition out there, between different T20 leagues franchises, 100-ball," AFP quoted Broad following his remarkable achievement in England's victory in the series-decider against West Indies in Manchester.
"I feel very lucky to have played for England in an era where we've played a lot of Test cricket in the summer and a lot in the winter."
"I think there's talk of thinning the amount of Tests we play in a summer down," added the 34-year-old, fearing England might not play adequate number of home Tests per season in the future.
Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the closest among active bowlers to join Broad in the 500 club. Lyon, 32, has taken 390 wickets in 96 Tests and is going as fit and strong as ever.
"You need a lot of Test matches to get 500 wickets," said Broad, who did so in his 140th game. "I think there'll be people who have the talent to get the numbers but whether they'll be able to play the amount of Test cricket the seam bowlers have to get that feat remains to be seen."
James Anderson, Broad's longstanding new-ball partner, who is now nearing his 600th Test wicket, said being three years younger, his friend could well go past his eventual tally and retire as England's highest Test wicket-taker.
"I've never even thought about that," said Broad in response. "(But) why not try and follow in Jimmy's footsteps? He's been wonderful to play with."
"If I keep bowling the way I am for the next few years then I wouldn't rule anything out."
