Broad has hunger to shine for England beyond end of Anderson double-act | Andy Bull


Having tilted the second Test back in England’s favour, the paceman tore into West Indies’ top order on the final day

It might be that by the time the expedition made it back to St Louis, Clark had got to wondering why Lewis’s name always came first. After 10 movies, Rogers definitely felt a little resentment towards Astaire. And when Martin and Lewis broke up their partnership after 10 years they didn’t speak to each other again for another 20. It’s not always easy being yoked so close, so long. But it has its benefits, particularly in cricket. Ask Hall and Griffith, Lillee and Thomson, Waqar and Wasim, Ambrose and Walsh, McGrath and Gillespie, or, of course, Anderson and Broad, best of the lot, or at least the most prolific, 883 wickets between them, in 116 Tests together across 12 years.

Thing is, when you’ve worked so well together for so long, it can be hard for anyone to think of you apart, especially for the junior partner. And here’s the really interesting bit. When Hall finished, Griffith followed later in the same series. Thomson managed only another two once Lillee quit. McGrath did five after Gillespie’s last, Walsh did 10 after Ambrose was gone, Waqar just 12 more without Wasim. It may be that England pick both Anderson and Broad in the third Test on Friday, but the way they’ve kept them apart in these last two games suggests that there are going to be times ahead when the two of them are competing for the same place.

Related: Stokes and Broad lead charge as England beat West Indies to level series

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