Broad’s six of the best give England edge
ALL-ROUNDER Stuart Broad admitted his pride after a six-wicket haul on an encouraging opening day of the first Test against West Indies elevated him to a select group of England greats.
The Nottinghamshire man took 6-72 as England reduced the tourists to 243-9 at Lord’s, with evergreen batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul offering by far the sternest resistance with a stubborn 87 not out.
With that Broad became only the seventh man to have achieved a century and a five-fer at the home of cricket, joining the esteemed likes of 2005 Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff and former captain Sir Ian Botham.
“Following Freddie [Flintoff] and Beefy [Botham] in the England dressing room is a huge honour,” said Broad, who was overshadowed by paceman James Anderson (2-59) in the morning session after England won the toss.
“But more important today is to have got nine wickets on the first day of the Test. Winning the toss and bowling, you’re thinking, ‘Can you bowl them out for a hundred?’ But you know Lord’s is never like that. It’s a bit of a patience game. We were aiming for seven wickets in the day; to pick up nine – we’re delighted.”
Anderson skittled Kieran Powell for five and claimed Kirk Edwards lbw for just one before opener Adrian Barath (42) and Darren Bravo (29) dug in to carry West Indies to 83-2 at lunch.
Broad’s first wicket came soon after when Anderson caught Barath, and Bravo fell next when Chanderpaul refused his call for a single off Ian Bell and Graeme Swann removed the bails with both batsmen at the striker’s end.
Veteran Chanderpaul, 37, who came into the match with an average of 66 at this ground, dodged lbw calls off Anderson and Swann as he built a fifth-wicket partnership of 81 with Marlon Samuels, before the latter edged Broad to England debutant Jonny Bairstow at point.
Broad took four more scalps, captain Darren Sammy (17) the only one to reach double figures and Fidel Edwards succumbing to the final ball of the day, as Chanderpaul extended his Lord’s love affair.