New Delhi: English cricketer Stuart Christopher John Broad achieved a major milestone on Tuesday as he secured his place in the elusive 500 wickets club. A former ODI and T20 captain who plays Test cricket for the England cricket team, Stuart Board took his 500th test wicket against Windies opener, Kraigg Brathwaite during the fifth and final day of the third Test match between England and West Indies. ALSO READ | IPL Governing Council Meeting Likely On Saturday, May Discuss Chinese Sponsorship Issue As Well On one hand where the English Men bagged the victory with score of 2-1 in the series, Board on the other hand added a golden feather to his hat as he became second England bowler, fourth seamer, and seventh overall to pick the 500 test wickets in the longest format of the game. As he achieved the remarkable milestone, wishes poured in from the cricket fraternity with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting saying "Always a tough competitor and a very skillful bowler especially in English conditions." With the latest inclusion in the club, the board for 500 test wickets appears as:
Players Name M Wkts
1. Muttiah Muralitharan 133 800
2. Shane Warne 145 708
3. Anil Kumble 132 619
4. James Anderson* 153 589
5. Glenn McGrath 124 563
6. Courtney Walsh 132 519
7. Stuart Broad* 140 500
(Note: 'M' - Matches, 'Wkts' - Wickets, '*' - Active Players) Board was stuck and felt frustrated when rain washed-out the fourth day of the match on Monday leaving him stranded on the record of 499. But the fresh start on Tuesday, Board dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite to reach the 500-wicket mark. Broad was also the slowest to get to the landmark taking 140 Tests. Broad has already scalped 9 wickets in the ongoing series decider after picking up 6 wickets in the Windies first innings. Srilankan spin legend Muttaiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket taker in Test cricket with 800 wickets.