Brilliant Broad joins cricket’s elite 500 club

The 34-year-old became just the seventh bowler to reach the milestone at Emirates Old Trafford this week when he removed Kraigg Brathwaite.

“I did a huge amount of my learning at Egerton Park and learned to play with a smile on my face,” he told Test Match Special’s Jonathan Agnew.

“I played with some brilliant people down there.

“It’s a club I loved playing for and it played a big part in me being able to go on and play for England.”

Broad also took the final wicket in the 269-run win to make it 501 wickets from 140 Tests.

He now joins an elite group which also includes Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets from 133 Tests), Shane Warne (708/145), Anil Kumble (619/132), James Anderson (589/153), Glenn McGrath (563/124), Courtney Walsh (519/132.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan labelled Broad a ‘great of the game’ - while former Egerton Park chairman Geoff Goodson was delighted to see Broad break into the 500 club.

“It is fantastic because we’ve known him since he was a junior and followed his career since he became a professional cricketer, originally with Leicestershire, when he was taken on to the staff after playing with us,” said Mr Goodson, who watched Broad make his international debut in Cardiff in 2006.

“It’s fantastic he’s been able to achieve all he has as a bowler. Taking 500 wickets is a fantastic achievement.

“He played in our juniors and into the first team before being recognised by Leicestershire.”

Broad, a former Oakham School pupil, may have moved on from Egerton Park, but he maintains strong links with the club.

“We’ve been lucky enough to see him down at Egerton Park a number of times over the years,” added Mr Goodson.

“He’s always been very supportive of the club, he’s come back to have his photo taken with the team and helped support us with social events.”