‘I was his captain that gave him his first Test cap’ – Michael Vaughan recalls Stuart Broad’s debut as he reaches 600 Test wickets

Stuart Broad. (Photo Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Former English skipper Michael Vaughan hailed Stuart Broad as he reached the milestone of 600 Test wickets in the fourth Ashes Test. Vaughan recalled Broad’s debut Test and said that he gave him the Test cap as he was the English captain in that game against Sri Lanka in December 2007.

Speaking of Ashes 2023, the 37-year-old is leading in the wicket-takers chart with 18 dismissals in the series so far. Bt stumps on first day of the fourth Test, Broad picked two wickets in the 14 overs he bowled, with his 600th dismissal being Australian batter Travis Head. The right-arm pacer has picked 20 fifers and three 10-wicket hauls in 165 Tests.

“What an effort from Broad, I was his captain that gave him his first Test cap in Sri Lanka and now 16 years later he’s got to 600,” Vaughan was quoted as saying to the BBC.

With this feat, Broad has joined the elite list of bowlers with 600-plus Test wickets, including Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708), James Anderson (688) and Anil Kumble (619). Broad and his bowling partner Anderson have picked over 1200 wickets in tandem. In terms of active players, these two English pacers are currently leading the wicket-takers in the longer format of the game.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 moment.#EnglandCricket #Ashes https://t.co/lz2j0t9LN5 pic.twitter.com/9RxHutgLDC

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 19, 2023

Even with all the wickets Stuart Broad has taken, he was working on a new delivery: Michael Atherton

Former England player Michael Atherton also hailed Broad after his stellar achievement, stating that the pacer is still working hard despite being such an experienced campaigner.

“Even with all the wickets he has taken, he was working on a new delivery ahead of the season, the out-swinger. He is always trying to get better. That is why he is so high on that wicket-takers list. A constant search for improvement,” Atherton said while speaking to Sky Cricket.

Broad was chosen ahead of lanky speedster Mark Wood for the first Test, and he has also proven his selection with his spells in Ashes 2023. Meanwhile, Australia are currently leading the five matches series 2-1, although the last game was won by the home side at Headingley.