Former England captain Michael Vaughan applauded veteran pacer Stuart Broad for becoming only the fifth bowler to reach the 600-wicket mark in the longer format. The veteran has achieved the huge feat with the wicket of Travis Head on day 1 of the fourth Ashes Test at Manchester as well.
However, Broad has been in sublime form through the 2023 Ashes series, claiming a series-leading 18 wickets at an average of 25.94. And, with this, he has joined teammate James Anderson, along with the three legendary spinners, Muthiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble, in the 600-wicket club as well.
Speaking to Cricbuzz at the close of play on Day 1, Vaughan praised him. He said, “He ( Broad) can but it all depends on how long he wants to play for. Don’t think Jimmy ( Anderson) is going to play that much longer. Don’t know what’s in Stuart Broad’s mind but what I do know is that when the Ashes are on, He’s on.”
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However, Michael Vaughan does not expect Stuart Broad to be part of the Ashes series in 2025/26, he believes that he should continue playing, especially under the Brendon McCullum-Ben Stokes combination as well. He has been in great form, having an impressive average of 28.67 against Australia, with eight five-wicket hauls against them.
“I don’t think he’s ( Broad) going to be around in Australia in 2025/26. He can carry on playing and commentate on games in the Hundred and other white ball games. He has said these last 14 months have felt like when he was a kid. The Baz-Ben combination has really stripped away all the nonsense one finds in Test match cricket and International sport,” added Vaughan.
Micheal Vaughan also gave credit to the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum combination for allowing players to enjoy their cricket. He also added that the attitude and the environment in the current setup could help Stuart Broad prolong his Test career as well.
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“They’ve told the players this is the best time of your life, enjoy it. Enjoy the game, take on the opposition, play fearlessly. Genuinely feel he’s absolutely loved playing these last 14 months and I would say to him play another year, it’s not going to do you any damage,” concluded Michael Vaughan. “Play another two years if possible because if you are in this environment and this environment is not going to change. England aren’t suddenly going to go back two or three years where it was serious and they weren’t playing the expansive game that they are now.”
