Jimmy Anderson believes there is “a very good chance” that Stuart Broad will overtake his record Test-wicket tally for England.
The whole of day four of the Third Test with the West Indies was washed out yesterday with England requiring eight wickets to regain the Wisden Trophy, and Broad one away from being the second Englishman — after Anderson — to reach 500 Test wickets.
Broad, 34, has 14 wickets since being recalled for the Second Test at Old Trafford and Anderson, who turns 38 on Thursday, sees his fellow fast bowler as an inspiration.
“The way he has bowled the past two games has been phenomenal, and an absolute credit to himself and the work he’s put in over the past few years,” Anderson told Sky. “He’s now getting the ball to shape away again, and we’ve seen how lethal he is with that wobble seam that nips back. Obviously, he was disappointed at Southampton. It felt like he’s had a real point to prove, and he has proved that.”
Anderson, who has 589 Test wickets, believes Broad can play as long as he has, and “get as many wickets as he wants”.
“I don’t think either of us are that fussed by the wickets tally,” said Anderson. “What we enjoy doing is winning games and celebrating those moments together. We love bowling together in Tests, we have a really good understanding and bowl well when the other guy is at the other end.
“There’s a very good chance he will get more wickets than me if he carries on like this. I heard him say the other day why can’t he carry on until he’s my age, and that’s absolutely true. He’s in great shape. He can go on and get as many wickets as he wants.”
