Disclaimer: This conversation is fictitious.
Yesterday, I was talking to a friend, who shares some of my enthusiasm of cricket. I told him that
Broad destroyed the opposition in the series decider. He was unsurprised. All he could say was, "Again???". I couldn't stop my laughter. What does he mean by "Again"? He was right. It is getting repeated too often.
It is obvious that Broad licks his lips by seeing the opposition no more than when it is a series decider, or say If England can win the series by winning that game. He does not win you games in sessions, he wins it within an hour. Want to put that statement to test? Remember, Oval 2009. The series was level by 1-1. England needed to win to regain the Ashes. Broad took 37-5 to help clinch the series. Another one in Chester-le-Street 2013. England were 2 - 0 up in Ashes. They needed one more win to win the ashes. Broad took 71 - 5 and 50 - 6 and destroyed Australia within 2 hours. Trent Bridge 2015. James Anderson was ruled out because of injury. England were 2 - 1 up. One bad game and suddenly momentum would have been with Australia going into the final test. Broad was more lethal beyond my wildest imagination. He was extraordinary, undecipherable. He took one of the best bowling figures in the history. Australia won the toss and chose to bat. At lunch on day 1, England were batting. Ashes done and dusted within 18 overs. The latest instance came at Wanderers. England were 1 - 0 up going in the third test. After first innings, the match was in balance or say skewed in Proteas' favor as England had to bat last on a pitch which had formidable assistance for the fast bowlers.
England had made 323 in reply of South Africa 313. At lunch on day 3, South Africa were 16 - 0 lead by 6 runs. I switched off the television to go and have some snacks. I returned after an hour. I switched on. South Africa were 47 - 7. Defeat was inevitable and inescapable now. Series decided again in one hour. I instantly knew it will be Broad. In the spell after lunch he had taken 5 wickets in 31 balls giving one run (that too came due to the courtesy of dropped catch in slips). He finished on 17-6. South Africa were stunned in the bullring. They are known to create miracle in Wanderers. Not this time. This was a spell from hell.
Next day, Broad was number 1 test bowler in test cricket. I was unsurprised. He was second highest wicket taker in 2015 standing just behind Ashwin. After 2011, he is among top 5 in grabbing the highest number of test wickets. When he is on the song, You cannot escape. He averages 17 against the best batsman in the world (ABD). He has dismissed him on 9 occasions. (Next highest to dismiss him is Peter Siddle(Aus) 6 times). The only batsman he has dismissed was Michael Clarke (11 times), who was also among one of all time greats. He has dismissed the highest scorer in the opposition a record of 44 times. He is on third among highest wicket takers for England, behind Botham and Anderson. Given he is only 29 and the rate at which he is taking his scalps, He may even get past the great Glenn McGrath. McGrath took more than 300 test wickets after he passed 30. Broad trails him only by 233 now. He has won more man of the match awards than anyone (9 times) in whole England camp. (To put that in Perspective, Next highest are Pietersen and Anderson 6 times each). Like Mark Butcher said after the test was over, Is there a better match winner that Stuart Broad?
It is not the case that Broad became a match winner from ordinary bowler overnight. He has been under the scrunity more often than other England players. Everyone doubted his place in playing XI. After all, he was nothing but a support to Jimmy. He always remained in his shadow for far too many years. He averaged over 30 with the ball and around 25 with the bat. What was so special in it? He used to struggle outside England. It was not until 2011 in Nottingham when he achieved another level. England were all out for 221. India were eyeing a big lead at 267- 4. He came and destroyed the Indian batting line up with a hat-trick. His figures read 46 - 6. India were hammered 4 - 0 after that.
There is no doubt that there is still 5-6 years of cricket left under him. There was a fear among England cricket fans regarding the pace bowling after Anderson retires. Broad has ended it. The future of England fast bowling looks bright under him. We have to wait and see. Don't forget to enjoy.
Yesterday, I was talking to a friend, who shares some of my enthusiasm of cricket. I told him that
Broad destroyed the opposition in the series decider. He was unsurprised. All he could say was, "Again???". I couldn't stop my laughter. What does he mean by "Again"? He was right. It is getting repeated too often.
It is obvious that Broad licks his lips by seeing the opposition no more than when it is a series decider, or say If England can win the series by winning that game. He does not win you games in sessions, he wins it within an hour. Want to put that statement to test? Remember, Oval 2009. The series was level by 1-1. England needed to win to regain the Ashes. Broad took 37-5 to help clinch the series. Another one in Chester-le-Street 2013. England were 2 - 0 up in Ashes. They needed one more win to win the ashes. Broad took 71 - 5 and 50 - 6 and destroyed Australia within 2 hours. Trent Bridge 2015. James Anderson was ruled out because of injury. England were 2 - 1 up. One bad game and suddenly momentum would have been with Australia going into the final test. Broad was more lethal beyond my wildest imagination. He was extraordinary, undecipherable. He took one of the best bowling figures in the history. Australia won the toss and chose to bat. At lunch on day 1, England were batting. Ashes done and dusted within 18 overs. The latest instance came at Wanderers. England were 1 - 0 up going in the third test. After first innings, the match was in balance or say skewed in Proteas' favor as England had to bat last on a pitch which had formidable assistance for the fast bowlers.
England had made 323 in reply of South Africa 313. At lunch on day 3, South Africa were 16 - 0 lead by 6 runs. I switched off the television to go and have some snacks. I returned after an hour. I switched on. South Africa were 47 - 7. Defeat was inevitable and inescapable now. Series decided again in one hour. I instantly knew it will be Broad. In the spell after lunch he had taken 5 wickets in 31 balls giving one run (that too came due to the courtesy of dropped catch in slips). He finished on 17-6. South Africa were stunned in the bullring. They are known to create miracle in Wanderers. Not this time. This was a spell from hell.
Next day, Broad was number 1 test bowler in test cricket. I was unsurprised. He was second highest wicket taker in 2015 standing just behind Ashwin. After 2011, he is among top 5 in grabbing the highest number of test wickets. When he is on the song, You cannot escape. He averages 17 against the best batsman in the world (ABD). He has dismissed him on 9 occasions. (Next highest to dismiss him is Peter Siddle(Aus) 6 times). The only batsman he has dismissed was Michael Clarke (11 times), who was also among one of all time greats. He has dismissed the highest scorer in the opposition a record of 44 times. He is on third among highest wicket takers for England, behind Botham and Anderson. Given he is only 29 and the rate at which he is taking his scalps, He may even get past the great Glenn McGrath. McGrath took more than 300 test wickets after he passed 30. Broad trails him only by 233 now. He has won more man of the match awards than anyone (9 times) in whole England camp. (To put that in Perspective, Next highest are Pietersen and Anderson 6 times each). Like Mark Butcher said after the test was over, Is there a better match winner that Stuart Broad?
It is not the case that Broad became a match winner from ordinary bowler overnight. He has been under the scrunity more often than other England players. Everyone doubted his place in playing XI. After all, he was nothing but a support to Jimmy. He always remained in his shadow for far too many years. He averaged over 30 with the ball and around 25 with the bat. What was so special in it? He used to struggle outside England. It was not until 2011 in Nottingham when he achieved another level. England were all out for 221. India were eyeing a big lead at 267- 4. He came and destroyed the Indian batting line up with a hat-trick. His figures read 46 - 6. India were hammered 4 - 0 after that.
There is no doubt that there is still 5-6 years of cricket left under him. There was a fear among England cricket fans regarding the pace bowling after Anderson retires. Broad has ended it. The future of England fast bowling looks bright under him. We have to wait and see. Don't forget to enjoy.
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