James Anderson and Stuart Broad celebrated the culmination of their 1,001 cricketing odyssey with yet more success in the country where it all began.
The final wicket of New Zealand's first innings 306, fell to Anderson to complete figures of 3-36, and bring the duo level with the most successful partnership in Test history. How fitting it is that 15-years after they played their first Test match together for England at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, they should match Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne at a tick over a grand.
The record tally was set back in 2007 when England’s two chief destroyers rode off into the sunset with a 5-0 Ashes thrashing in their back pockets, allowing batters around the world to sleep a little easier.
Who knew that the nightmares would soon begin again though, as the duo who would eventually cosy up to their landmark and then inevitably go past it, would already be hard at work.
And that is the first thing to remember about all the adulation and prizes and commendations that come their way. Fast bowling is bloody hard work, and these two Englishmen have pushed their bodies time and again for the cause.
Add together the incredible levels of skill they possess as well as the character required to thrive at the highest level and it is a potent combination worthy of study. That is what so many other bowlers have tried to do in the intervening years to try and emulate the quality of 40-year-old Anderson and 36-year-old Broad.
The latest is Ollie Robinson, a 29-year-old seam bowler with some serious skills of his own, and who has worked hard to get himself fit for purpose and able to dovetail with the veterans.
“There’s not really words to express how impressive their record is,” he said, after claiming 4-54. “But to be on the field with them is a privilege for me and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
“They’ve been very open and honest with me since I’ve come into the environment, which has been amazing for me and hopefully I can be a worthy bearer of the baton. A big thing for me is the use of the crease, which I’ve learnt from Jimmy and Broady, that’s probably helped more than anything coming in with England. You need to use your skills even more.”
All three pace bowlers will have a big role to play in the outcome of this match and two Test series before setting their sights on the Aussies in the summer and the recapture of the Ashes.
And before play Broad admitted he has been working on a few skills with that series in mind, while also appreciating the impending milestone that he and Anderson were about to reach.
“It’s a lot of wickets isn’t it?” said Broad. “That’s really special and it’s been a pleasure to bowl at the other end, be a part of that side and win so many games with Jim.
“When we look back at all the wickets we’ve taken, there’s no doubt our favourites come in Test match wins so our job here is to get more wickets and try to force another Test match win.”
