On day one of the fourth game of the Ashes 2023 series at Old Trafford, in Manchester, veteran England cricketer Stuart Broad became the second fast bowler to bring up 600 wickets in Test cricket.
After dismissing left-handed Australian batsman Travis Head, Broad, 36, accomplished the momentous achievement. The only other fast bowler with more than 600 Test wickets is James Anderson of England.
Broad is the fifth bowler overall with 600 Test wickets, trailing only Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka (800), Shane Warne of Australia (708), Jimmy Anderson (688) and Anil Kumble of India (619).
When Broad caught Usman Khawaja lbw early in the current Old Trafford Test, he increased his wicket total to 599. Broad’s 600th Test wicket came in the third session when Joe Root caught Head at long off.
In 2007, Broad made his Test debut for England against Sri Lanka in Colombo, taking Chaminda Vaas for his first ever Test wicket. He has played in 166 Test matches so far and has been a part of four Ashes-winning teams.
Broad’s 600 wickets have come at an average of 27.57 and consist of 20 five-wicket and three 10-wicket hauls. In 39 matches, he has taken 149 wickets against Australia, surpassing Ian Botham’s previous record of 148 wickets.
Out of those 149 wickets against Australia, Broad has taken out Australia’s veteran left-handed opener David Warner 17 times, whom the quick continues to consistently come out on top against, including in the ongoing Ashes.