Stuart Broad thrilled with 'extraordinary' figures of 8-15
Friday 7 August 2015 07:16, UK
Stuart Broad admitted his figures of 8-15 on an extraordinary first morning of the fourth Investec Ashes Test were "pretty unbelievable".
Australia were skittled out for just 60 after being put in by England captain Alastair Cook, the tourists unable to cope with the swing and seam of Broad, Mark Wood and Steven Finn at Trent Bridge.
Broad, playing on his home ground, became only the fifth Englishman to take 300 Test wickets when Chris Rogers fell to just the third delivery of the morning.
Outstanding bowling was backed up by some superb catching, Ben Stokes’ stunning one-handed catch at fifth slip to dismiss Adam Voges off Broad the pick.
Broad recorded Ashes figures surpassed for England by only Jim Laker as the tourists recorded their lowest total against England since 1936.
"It's pretty unbelievable really. It hasn't sunk in. All our talk this week has been about us, making sure we focus on our own game," Broad told Sky Sports Ashes, just after the last Australian wicket fell.
"We said as a unit today, 'yes we've won the toss, but don't chase the game. Trent Bridge will offer you something from full of a length.' I thought the way we bowled as a unit - and the way we caught - was special.
"I mean Ben Stokes' catch - I couldn't believe it when that went in."
Broad began the day on 299 Test wickets, and by lunch he had matched Fred Trueman's tally of 307. Only three Englishmen - Bob Willis (325), Sir Ian Botham (383) and James Anderson (413) - have more.
And the Nottinghamshire star admitted he was relieved to join the 300 club quickly.
"It's one of those things that you try not to think too much about. But obviously, going to bed last night, you're hoping to get it early so it's off your mind. So, to get it third ball was a delight," he said.
"We obviously thought hard about planning in this game. It's such a big week for us. Now we've got a chance to get a big lead. Hopefully we'll go and do that.
"We just need to graft hard. We've got players who have grown up in England and who are used to conditions like this. You've got to leave really well - not push at the ball."
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