Stuart Broad makes James Anderson admission as England cricket duo make history

18 February 2023 , 10:45

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James Anderson and Stuart Broad have now taken 1,005 Test wickets together (Image: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Stuart Broad has hailed longtime bowling partner James Anderson after the pair overtook Australia legends Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne to become the deadliest duo in Test match history.

Broad and Anderson equalled McGrath and Warne's record of 1,001 wickets in Tests they have played together after picking up four wickets between them in New Zealand's first innings. They have now moved to 1,005 after Broad picked up 4-21 in a magical spell in New Zealand's second innings to leave England on the verge of victory in Mount Maunganui.

Reflecting on becoming one half of the most successful bowling partnership in history, Broad paid a touching tribute to his partner in crime Anderson, admitting he is "the reason I'm still going at 36".

"New Zealand is a special country for us," Broad told BT Sport. "Back in 2008 at Wellington, we came into the team together and to go past two heroes of mine growing up - McGrath and Warne - certainly we're not in the category or quality of those two.

"They were absolutely heroic in what they did for the game.

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"But just to be up there with those two and to have taken the amount of wickets as I have with Jimmy.

Anderson and Broad played their first Test together in New Zealand back in 2008 (DEAN TREML/AFP via Getty Images)

The pair broke a record held by Australian legends Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne (Philip Brown/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

"I feel very lucky to have been born in the same era as Jimmy because without him, I wouldn't have been able to be at the other end taking wickets in the partnership that we've had.

"I've learnt so much from him throughout my career and he's probably the reason I'm still going at 36. He's a great leader to follow."

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook, who played with the duo in 111 of their 133 Test matches together, added: "Broad and Anderson push each other on in a very healthy way.

"They are similar in terms of the pace but incredibly different when you face them.

"I played against Broady at school and he was an opening batter. He bowled a little bit of medium pace. No way could you see him taking so many Test wickets.

"What an extraordinary bowler."

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Matthew Cooper