In what will go down as one of the greatest redemption stories for years to come, Stuart Broad, after being dropped for the series-opener at Southampton, made an astounding comeback to emerge as the leading wicket-taker of the historical series.
From being “frustrated, angry and gutted,” to surpassing the herculean 500-wickets mark, Broad has come a long way in just two matches.
Brought back for the next two matches, he finished the series with astounding figures of 16 wickets at 10.93, including a ten-wicket haul in the series-decider at Old Trafford.
The Nottingham born seamer became the seventh bowler and only the second Englishmen, after his colleague James Anderson, to enter this elite club.
For England, the old guards are still as irreplaceable as they ever were. The flair and flamboyance of Broad and Anderson are still more effective than the youth in English ranks.
As the 34-years-old achieved this milestone, greetings and congratulatory messages poured in on social media.
Iconic Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to congratulate Broad on this special occasion.
Sachin wrote, “Congratulations to England on their emphatic series win. And like I said earlier, @StuartBroad8 had a spring in his step and was out there on a mission. Congratulations also to him on picking his 500th Test wicket. Terrific achievement! #ENGvWI”.
Congratulations to England on their emphatic series win.
And like I said earlier, @StuartBroad8 had a spring in his step and was out there on a mission. Congratulations also to him on picking his 500th Test wicket. Terrific achievement! #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/LGRKWBYOSh
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 28, 2020
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting also congratulated Broad and wrote, “Congratulations @StuartBroad8 on 500 Test wickets. Always a tough competitor and a very skillful bowler especially in English conditions. #ENGvWI”.
Congratulations @StuartBroad8 on 500 Test wickets. Always a tough competitor and a very skillful bowler especially in English conditions. #ENGvWI
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) July 28, 2020
Even Dale Steyn, the veteran pacer from South Africa, lauded his achievement and lavished praises on Broad.
Steyn posted, “500 big ones for @StuartBroad8 Well done bud, what a great achievement #salute”.
500 big ones for @StuartBroad8
Well done bud, what a great achievement #salute— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) July 28, 2020
