James Anderson and Stuart Broad match ‘untouchable’ record set by Australian greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath
James Anderson and Stuart Broad wrote themselves into history after equalling Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne as the deadliest duo in Test history.
The Australian duo retired in 2007 with 1,001 wickets in 104 games together – a record that looked destined to remain intact.
But the England pair had other ideas during the first test against New Zealand when Anderson had Tom Blundell caught and bowled on night two at Bay Oval.
Anderson and Broad are expected to break the record in the final innings.
The Blundell wicket handed England the initiative after he hit a brilliant 138, after coming to the crease at 83 for five and exiting last at 306.
England reached stumps on day two at 79 for two, setting themselves up perfectly for day three
Ollie Robinson was on form for England with figures of four for 54.
The hosts began the day on 37 for three with nightwatchman Neil Wagner hitting consecutive sixes before later falling foul of Anderson and Broad.
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Robinson bowled Daryl Mitchell for an lbw – a relief for England who saw Mitchell average 107.60 in last summer’s series.
Ben Stokes got in on the act, bowling Devon Conway to hand Ollie Pope a simple catch but Blundell remained firm despite Michael Bracewell and Scott Kuggeleijn falling to Leach and Robinson respectively.
The Sussex man snapped up a fourth when Tim Southee was caught by Ben Duckett
Blundell’s fourth Test ton came about by ramping Leach over his shoulder as England appeared frustrated by his stubbornness.
Ben Foakes just failed to take a brilliant catch, Broad hesitated under an easier one and Stokes opted against reviewing a thin edge from Tickner.
Anderson and the new ball put and end to Blundell’s knock as he skied one back to the bowler to become number 1,001.
Openers, Zac Crawley and Ben Duckett shared nine fours in the first eight overs in the second innings but neither could make it last.
Duckett fenced Tickner to slip for on 25 and Crawley brushed Kuggeleijn behind on the pull for 28.