Do you think Stuart Broad will surpass Glenn McGrath's wicket tally?

[GoUgandaCranes]

For me, watching Glenn bowl was sensational. It was like a lesson in effectiveness - looked so simple yet was so deadly.

Now, there is a real chance that Broad will over take him on the leader board. He is 29 and already has 300 + wickets. Five more years of similar bowling and he may overtake Glenn's tally.

He is a good bowler but is he that great to be the highest test wicket taker?

Anderson too may end up very high and he too is not as great as most of the great fast bowlers from the 90's and Steyn.

 

[Chrish]

Lol no!

 

[aloo paratha]

Thats quite a bit of wickets! He's only at 307 and still has 256 wickets left! 256!!! Even if he plays 5 more years i doubt he'll get there. If it was 407 we could have thought about it.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

No I don't think so. He has to almost double his wicket tally. And there's no guarantee he'll play for 5 years either. Even if he did, what makes you think he'll have even more success than McGrath?

 

[theAfridian]

The reason why Anderson and Broad could very well surpass 500 or even Mcgrath's record is simply because they are given ridiculous amount of tests (including 7 home ones every year) and from April 2015 to Feb 2016 they will have played 17 tests altogether!!!

It is a farce considering all the other test sides (top 6-7) play about 10 each year, so England will always be ahead of everyone else on statistics; more precisely on number of runs and wickets.

Also take the example of Cook who hasn't even played test cricket for 10 years and he has already stacked up 9,000 test runs and note that Younis Khan has played test cricket since 2000 and is on 8,800! Funny how the lesser player has more runs when he has a lower average.

I am not slagging off Broad, Cook or Anderson they're all good test players but they're not GREATS and I just feel test caps should be hard earned not given so easily and freely.

So many greats of the game in the past could not play 100 tests and thus limited by what they can yield for their statistics; examples of these include Bradman, Imran Khan, Jeff Thomson, Lillee and etc

Ask yourself how many players in the 70s and 80s reached 100 test caps?

So this certainly goes to show there is a great need for moderating test cricket in achieving balance in the Future tours programme but doubt we will ever see that happen with the disaster loomed by the selfish so-called "big 3" .

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

The reason why Anderson and Broad could very well surpass 500 or even Mcgrath's record is simply because they are given ridiculous amount of tests (including 7 home ones every year) and from April 2015 to Feb 2016 they will have played 17 tests altogether!!!

It is a farce considering all the other test sides (top 6-7) play about 10 each year, so England will always be ahead of everyone else on statistics; more precisely on number of runs and wickets.

Also take the example of Cook who hasn't even played test cricket for 10 years and he has already stacked up 9,000 test runs and note that Younis Khan has played test cricket since 2000 and is on 8,800! Funny how the lesser player has more runs when he has a lower average.

I am not slagging off Broad, Cook or Anderson they're all good test players but they're not GREATS and I just feel test caps should be hard earned not given so easily and freely.

So many greats of the game in the past could not play 100 tests and thus limited by what they can yield for their statistics; examples of these include Bradman, Imran Khan, Jeff Thomson, Lillee and etc

Ask yourself how many players in the 70s and 80s reached 100 test caps?

So this certainly goes to show there is a great need for moderating test cricket in achieving balance in the Future tours programme but doubt we will ever see that happen with the disaster loomed by the selfish so-called "big 3" .

Exactly the reason why I write this.

Anderson has 400 wickets already and he has home series after home series coming his way.

The amount of tests that England will be playing in the next three years is just ridiculous.

 

[Mamoon]

Both Anderson and Broad are excellent bowlers in home conditions and very good overall, but it is true that the number of wickets they could end up with (potentially) flatters their bowling ability.

As far as Broad is concerned, 500 wickets is a real possibility provided he stays fit. One thing that needs to be considered is that English players don't delay their retirement once they realize they are not good enough anymore, and the likes of Bell, Cook, Anderson, Broad etc. might retire earlier than people think.

 

[Robert]

He is a good bowler but is he that great to be the highest test wicket taker?

No. But he will top the England bowlers table. I think his three or four best years are ahead of him, barring injuries.

 

[Stallion__]

A bit early to say this.

Possibility is there but it still would be difficult for him. McGrath maintained his fitness and bowling standards till the age of 37 to achieve that number, something W's couldn't do. England is getting a lot of Test cricket, most of it at home, and he has been asked by selectors to focus on Tests and is being rested (or dropped) from ODIs for that purpose.

Thing with Broad is that though his average is on a higher side, his SR is impressive. Better than Walsh atleast who himself have 519 wickets.

More realistically, Broad can break English record whatever Anderson will set for him. Had Steyn got as that amount of cricket as Broad is getting, he was much stronger candidate to break McGrath's tally.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Both Anderson and Broad are excellent bowlers in home conditions and very good overall, but it is true that the number of wickets they could end up with (potentially) flatters their bowling ability.

As far as Broad is concerned, 500 wickets is a real possibility provided he stays fit. One thing that needs to be considered is that English players don't delay their retirement once they realize they are not good enough anymore, and the likes of Bell, Cook, Anderson, Broad etc. might retire earlier than people think.

That is the reason why I am doubting this. Also as Robert said, I believe Broad is just beginning to understand his potential. I think for a while he had the idea in his head that he was an all-rounder but that blow from Aaron has reduced his confidence in his batting ability making him focus on his strength.

The guy is rounding up 100 wickets in two years at this moment and if he remains injury free, has the potential to be rack similar stats. Also, considering that we are going to be visiting them next summer, Jimmy and Broad will be licking their lips. No Swann to share the wickets as well (potentially)

For me, this is an interesting enough reason to watch English cricket - Broad/Anderson having chance to surpass many cricketing legends in wickets and Cook/Root having the chance to surpass batting giants. Must say though, that Root seems like a complete Test class batsman rather than Cook who is good but not ATG material.

 

[Eureka]

The reason why Anderson and Broad could very well surpass 500 or even Mcgrath's record is simply because they are given ridiculous amount of tests (including 7 home ones every year) and from April 2015 to Feb 2016 they will have played 17 tests altogether!!!

It is a farce considering all the other test sides (top 6-7) play about 10 each year, so England will always be ahead of everyone else on statistics; more precisely on number of runs and wickets.

Also take the example of Cook who hasn't even played test cricket for 10 years and he has already stacked up 9,000 test runs and note that Younis Khan has played test cricket since 2000 and is on 8,800! Funny how the lesser player has more runs when he has a lower average.

I am not slagging off Broad, Cook or Anderson they're all good test players but they're not GREATS and I just feel test caps should be hard earned not given so easily and freely.

So many greats of the game in the past could not play 100 tests and thus limited by what they can yield for their statistics; examples of these include Bradman, Imran Khan, Jeff Thomson, Lillee and etc

Ask yourself how many players in the 70s and 80s reached 100 test caps?

So this certainly goes to show there is a great need for moderating test cricket in achieving balance in the Future tours programme but doubt we will ever see that happen with the disaster loomed by the selfish so-called "big 3" .

I dont buy this argument. It helps but look at it this way how many ODI series has he missed due to his teams priority for him to play test cricket. Further you have to be fit for playing these amount of games. Look at how many cricketers have had injuries after World Cup without playing in any series for Pakistan. So I think its also about having the ability to be fit for long periods.

 

[Mamoon]

That is the reason why I am doubting this. Also as Robert said, I believe Broad is just beginning to understand his potential. I think for a while he had the idea in his head that he was an all-rounder but that blow from Aaron has reduced his confidence in his batting ability making him focus on his strength.

The guy is rounding up 100 wickets in two years at this moment and if he remains injury free, has the potential to be rack similar stats. Also, considering that we are going to be visiting them next summer, Jimmy and Broad will be licking their lips. No Swann to share the wickets as well (potentially)

For me, this is an interesting enough reason to watch English cricket - Broad/Anderson having chance to surpass many cricketing legends in wickets and Cook/Root having the chance to surpass batting giants. Must say though, that Root seems like a complete Test class batsman rather than Cook who is good but not ATG material.

Yes, Broad has come into his own in the last few years and has developed into a quality bowler. At one point he was averaging 37 with the ball and looked nowhere good enough for this level - he has clearly come a long way.

Anderson is one of my favorite bowler in the last few years because I love watching him bowl with the new ball, but I think that age is catching up with him and perhaps his best days are behind him now. He is still good enough to produce match-winning spells, but Broad looks like England's main bowler now, and the recharged Finn has been very impressive as well.


Root looks like the real deal indeed, and someone who will carry England's batting for years to come.

I don't have much expectations for the series next year, because I don't trust our openers to cope with Broad, Finn and even an aging Anderson, but it will be great to see the likes of Azhar and Shafiq score some big runs and take the mantle from Younis and Misbah.

We can trouble their fragile lineup with the ball though, and winning a solitary Test is not out of the equation.

 

[Joga Bonito]

Let's break it down:

3 variables at play here will determine this:

1. # of Wickets per Match
2. # of Matches he plays in a year
3. # of years he plays

1.

Assuming this is the peak of Broad's career, let's assume that his wickets/test matches ratio will remain the same (it is around 3.7 right now). Note: This is an aggressive estimate, because this estimate assumes that he will bowl the same # of deliveries per match as he has throughout his career and also will enjoy the same level of performance, not as high of a chance considering he is nearly 30...but let's leave it as this.

Realistic range: 2.5-4 wickets per match

2. # of matches he will play in a year, it is no secret that England plays A LOT of Test matches and Stuart plays in a lot of them. Since he started playing at the end of 2007, he has played 83 test matches, or around 10/year. That is A LOT of test matches without a doubt, and if he remains healthy (which he should as he is not one of those injury prone bowlers CC: Irfan) he should play nearly that amount. So let's assume 10 for this case.

Realistic range: 8-11 matches per year

3.
Stuart Broad is 29, how many more years do you think he has left? Waqar played until age 32, McGrath 37, Wasim 36...this is probably the last time I will try to use Broad in the same paragraph as those 3, but with his fitness, you can expect him to play until he is at least 34-35 aka another 5 years.


Realistic range: 3-7 years.


If we combine all of those together we get a few interesting scenarios:

1. Most aggressive scenario (4 wickets/match, 11 tests/year, 7 years) = 308 additional wickets (exactly double what he has now), making him end up with 616 wickets

2. Range listed in the narrative above (aggressive @ 3.7 wickets/match, 10 tests/year, 5 years) = 185 additional wickets, ending up with 493 wickets

3. Mid-point of realistic range specified above (more realistic @ 3.3 wickets/match, 9.5 tests/year, 5 years) = 156 additional wickets, ending up with 464 wickets

4. Most conservative range (2.5 wickets/match, 8 matches/year, 3 years) = 60 additional wickets, ending up with 368 wickets


Keeping the above in mind, it doesn't seem likely that Broad will be able to break Glenn McGrath's record unless he elevates his game better than how he plays now, plays until he is 36 and England continue to play the same # of test matches as they have done in the past.

Regardless, is it looking like he will end up around the 400 wicket-mark which is a phenomenal feat in this day and age. Against him will be the fact that he is a home pitch bully like his friend Jimmy Anderson and also one of the more hated cricketers of this generation.

 

[theAfridian]

Yes, Broad has come into his own in the last few years and has developed into a quality bowler. At one point he was averaging 37 with the ball and looked nowhere good enough for this level - he has clearly come a long way.

Anderson is one of my favorite bowler in the last few years because I love watching him bowl with the new ball, but I think that age is catching up with him and perhaps his best days are behind him now. He is still good enough to produce match-winning spells, but Broad looks like England's main bowler now, and the recharged Finn has been very impressive as well.


Root looks like the real deal indeed, and someone who will carry England's batting for years to come.

I don't have much expectations for the series next year, because I don't trust our openers to cope with Broad, Finn and even an aging Anderson, but it will be great to see the likes of Azhar and Shafiq score some big runs and take the mantle from Younis and Misbah.

We can trouble their fragile lineup with the ball though, and winning a solitary Test is not out of the equation.

I'm sorry but if you play this magnitude of tests compared to everyone else you're going to have mediocre cricketers with better stats i.e. more wickets and more runs. FACT!

Wasim Akram was around for 18 years in test cricket (1984-2002) but only played 102 tests, so your argument is clearly flawed.

Many cricketers back int he day played tests continuously for 12-15 years and even 20 but still couldn't
manage 100 test caps because of the lack of teams and other constraints involved in scheduling matches.

By your logic players like Broad and Cook are all-time legends - clearly makes no cricketing sense.

With England exceeding the number of tests played by almost double the average played by other sides each year, England has an unfair advantage with stats concerned.

 

[Justcrazy]

Taking wickets and scoring runs is a milestone , its not an achievement.

You need to look at other factors as number of games played , quality of opposition , pitch and conditions etc.

 

[Mamoon]

I'm sorry but if you play this magnitude of tests compared to everyone else you're going to have mediocre cricketers with better stats i.e. more wickets and more runs. FACT!

Wasim Akram was around for 18 years in test cricket (1984-2002) but only played 102 tests, so your argument is clearly flawed.

Many cricketers back int he day played tests continuously for 12-15 years and even 20 but still couldn't
manage 100 test caps because of the lack of teams and other constraints involved in scheduling matches.

By your logic players like Broad and Cook are all-time legends - clearly makes no cricketing sense.

With England exceeding the number of tests played by almost double the average played by other sides each year, England has an unfair advantage with stats concerned.

What argument, what logic, what cricketing sense? What you said has absolutely nothing to do with my post, unless you quoted mine by mistake.

 

[theAfridian]

What argument, what logic, what cricketing sense? What you said has absolutely nothing to do with my post, unless you quoted mine by mistake.

This was meant for Eureka, apologies.

 

[Robert]

That is the reason why I am doubting this. Also as Robert said, I believe Broad is just beginning to understand his potential. I think for a while he had the idea in his head that he was an all-rounder but that blow from Aaron has reduced his confidence in his batting ability making him focus on his strength.

The guy is rounding up 100 wickets in two years at this moment and if he remains injury free, has the potential to be rack similar stats. Also, considering that we are going to be visiting them next summer, Jimmy and Broad will be licking their lips. No Swann to share the wickets as well (potentially)

For me, this is an interesting enough reason to watch English cricket - Broad/Anderson having chance to surpass many cricketing legends in wickets and Cook/Root having the chance to surpass batting giants. Must say though, that Root seems like a complete Test class batsman rather than Cook who is good but not ATG material.

Sure. He was trying that 'enforcer' nonsense for a while before deciding to become a McGrath type, aiming for the top of off-peg and cutting it about. He had good returns in the whitewashes in UAE and Australia, and in SL too which are supposedly graveyards for English seamers so there is plainly something extra about him.

I think 450 wickets is a minimum target for him, with an average settling at around 27.

 

[ExplicitAI]

Would've been better if you talked about Anderson instead of Broad. Very unlikely for Broad to beat McGrath.

 

[Convict]

When Broad slows down (as bowlers in their 30s do) will he be as effective as he is now?

 

[James]

I'm sorry but if you play this magnitude of tests compared to everyone else you're going to have mediocre cricketers with better stats i.e. more wickets and more runs. FACT!

Wasim Akram was around for 18 years in test cricket (1984-2002) but only played 102 tests, so your argument is clearly flawed.

Many cricketers back int he day played tests continuously for 12-15 years and even 20 but still couldn't
manage 100 test caps because of the lack of teams and other constraints involved in scheduling matches.

By your logic players like Broad and Cook are all-time legends - clearly makes no cricketing sense.

With England exceeding the number of tests played by almost double the average played by other sides each year, England has an unfair advantage with stats concerned.

Why is it the player's fault that their cricket board has negotiated well with the ICC and also invested millions into hosting Test matches, and those players happen to be fit to take the field?

 

[Varun]

Why not? Just remember to schedule as many home games as possible and he's there.

 

[blind]

Now let us not jump to conclusions. Broad is no where near Glen's level right now. He can't perform the same outside England.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Now let us not jump to conclusions. Broad is no where near Glen's level right now. He can't perform the same outside England.

Has anyone in this discussion claimed that Broad is in any ways better than Glenn? No.

This is the discussion that Broad has a chance to surpass the tally of wickets of Glenn and may have a shot at becoming the leading wicket taker.

As some posters pointed out, it's also not him but Anderson as well who has a great chance to do better than many real greats of the game.

 

[blind]

Has anyone in this discussion claimed that Broad is in any ways better than Glenn? No.

This is the discussion that Broad has a chance to surpass the tally of wickets of Glenn and may have a shot at becoming the leading wicket taker.

As some posters pointed out, it's also not him but Anderson as well who has a great chance to do better than many real greats of the game.

No, he won't surpass Glenn Mc Graths tally of total wickets in Ashes series

 

[Nikhil_cric]

When Broad slows down (as bowlers in their 30s do) will he be as effective as he is now?

Broad rarely bowls quick anyway . He bowls 130-135 with the occasional faster spell.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I read it as Stuart Binny.

Lord Binny can do anything.

 

[saj786]

Lol lol lol, wasnt it 2 test matches ago at lords where sir jimmy and sir stuart were made to look limited on a flat wicket, 2 test matches on and hes being compared to a champion, my opinion 2 of the most overrated bowlers too have reached 300 and 400 mark

 

[James]

Nobody has compared the bowlers in terms of skill, just their wicket tallies.

Always amazes me that, in an age of high literacy and widespread access to education, so many people still cannot read.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Lol lol lol, wasnt it 2 test matches ago at lords where sir jimmy and sir stuart were made to look limited on a flat wicket, 2 test matches on and hes being compared to a champion, my opinion 2 of the most overrated bowlers too have reached 300 and 400 mark

I will leave this comment again that this is not a comparison thread between Glenn and Broad.

This thread is about a possibility existing in your mind where Broad can over come Glenn's wicket tally.

Two very different things.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I read it as Stuart Binny.

Lord Binny can do anything.

I genuinely like Binny the cricketer.

I think of him as hard working, intelligent and someone who is very much aware of his talent and abilities.

Also, I believe that he will keep improving with time and become a better cricketer.

 

[Fahdi]

Taking into account the number of test matches England plays it is a possibility. England play about 14-15 tests every year,sometimes even more. In 5 years that means 70-75 tests or more. I would say Broad has enough matches to get there.

 

[theAfridian]

Why is it the player's fault that their cricket board has negotiated well with the ICC and also invested millions into hosting Test matches, and those players happen to be fit to take the field?

It's not the players fault and Broad is a good bowler but I'm not a fan of seeing in the future mediocre standard players surpassing the greats in number of wickets and runs that's all.

 

[Ab Fan]

Anderson has done it. Can Broad also surpass McGrath wicket tally??

Felt Broad has been a bit unlucky in the last 7-8 months as he managed to create pressure from one end but couldn't find enough wickets. Bowled really well against India and in NZ series and also started off well in Australia.

 

[Robert]

No. But he will top the England bowlers table. I think his three or four best years are ahead of him, barring injuries.

Changed my mind. He’ll get there.

 

[Usman]

If Broad gets there, it will be a bit of a joke to be honest. When you look at those highest wicket takers tables, the one thing that stands out is that whilst Broad and Anderson feature in those numbers, they have both played significantly more number of games than any of their predecessors. The same can be said for Cook who has a lot of runs, but played significantly more games than everyone else on the table.

I accept that Cook and Anderson are class players. But I don't think either can claim to be up there with the likes of McGrath, Steyn, Akram or the likes of Sangakarra, Ponting etc.

Broad is certainly nowhere in the vicinity when it comes to the mention of great players. He is a support act.

 

[Saksham]

It will be very difficult for Broad to beat Mcgrath . He has to maintain the same level of intensity and fitness . Bowlers like Anderson and Walsh get better with age if the same happens with Broad than 564 wickets is possible .

 

[Last Monetarist]

I think it will be difficult for Broad. At this moment in time, he looks to have less miles left in the tank than Anderson, who is 4 years older. Another point to factor in is that Broad relies more on pace and bounce than Anderson so will suffer more as he continues to slow down. He needs another 130 wickets to surpass McGrath, which will probably mean that he has to play 3 more years of international cricket. I don't think that's likely going by his performances over the last year and a half.