Stuart Broad has paid tribute to Jimmy Anderson on the eve of his bowling partner’s 100th Test, insisting he would not be the player he is today without his influence.
Twelve years after his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s, Anderson will reach his century on Monday when the three‑Test series against West Indies starts at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Broad, who has played 68 Tests alongside his good friend over the past eight years, said: “For any fast bowler to play 100 Tests is a fantastic effort. I’m very lucky to have played a lot of cricket with him. He’s helped me a huge amount. We’ve got a nice partnership going, certainly in Test matches, and him standing at mid-off to me offering advice is great and vice versa. That partnership has really grown.”
Anderson stands only four wickets behind Sir Ian Botham’s England Test record of 383. “He fully deserves to get that record and hopefully he can do that in Antigua,” said Broad. “The way he gets his wickets is good fun to watch.
“He does have periods where he might go a bit quiet on the wickets front, but he soon finds a hot streak and when he gets that ball swinging it’s exciting to watch. Kids like watching him and that is important.
“My grandad took me to a Lord’s ODI when I was 15 and Jimmy was playing – I take the mickey out of him for that.”
Many people believe Anderson’s on‑field aggression is not a good example for youngsters but Broad disagrees. “I like the way Jimmy goes about his business,” he said. “I like the fact he gets in the face of opponents and gets grumpy when he gets hit for four, you’ve got to have a presence about you as a fast bowler.
“I grew up with heroes like Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock and they had a presence about them. Jimmy has been influential on me in making sure I get my tempo right and my aggressive intent right and we feed off each other.”
Meanwhile, the uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope and the fast bowler Carlos Brathwaite have been included in a 14-man West Indies squad for the first Test. The leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who played his 11th and most recent Test three years ago, is also recalled. Denesh Ramdin will continue to skipper the side, with Kraigg Brathwaite as his deputy.
West Indies Test squad D Ramdin (capt), K Brathwaite, S Benn, D Bishoo, J Blackwood, C Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, S Chanderpaul, J Holder, S Hope, K Roach, M Samuels, D Smith, J Taylor
