Stuart Broad has acclaimed Nottinghamshire legend Sir Richard Hadlee for providing him with the impetus to chase more records as a Test cricketer.

The Notts and England seamer is making his final preparations for a two-Test series in Hadlee’s native New Zealand, and recalled the moment the Kiwi challenged him to strive for a significant landmark.

“Hadlee set me a challenge when I was last in New Zealand at the start of 2018 that I am fully motivated to achieve,” he said.

“He had a book out and signed one for me with an instruction: 'Stuart. Go and get 500 Test wickets.'

“I thought that was such a long way away but it drove me on a bit to have someone of his stature believe I could do it.

“And here I am at 467 – so maybe I can.”

Broad also expressed his desire to thank Hadlee for the technical changes he inspired in the right-armer.

The 33-year-old’s refreshed run-up helped him to 30 wickets across the England Test summer, with Broad enjoying his most productive Ashes series.  

“I put my recent success down to my run-up change,” he said.

“Sir Richard also said shortening his run-up improved him – I think I owe him a bottle of red, don't I?

“My mum's coming out to New Zealand. She's great friends with the Hadlees and I want to catch up with him for at least one drink.”

Broad will assume the mantle of senior bowler for England once again in New Zealand, as Jimmy Anderson continues his recuperation from injury.

Despite his recent struggles for fitness, Anderson remains the Notts seamer’s blueprint for longevity.

“How long can I keep going? Well, my evergreen new-ball partner Jimmy Anderson is my inspiration on that front,” he said.

“Yes, he's had a tricky last few months with his calf injury but he has made it through to 37 as an international bowler. It's very unlikely I'm going to go through to that sort of age but I am only 33 —still relatively young in sport.

“Back in South Africa in early 2016, everybody was saying that Jimmy had had it. He had lost his pace. AB de Villiers said he was half the bowler he used to be. Since then his record has been quite incredible. So why can't I keep going?

“The natural break for me looks like being the World Test Championship final in the summer of 2021. I want to make sure England are in that final. We are capable of doing it with the talent we have.

“However, if I ever feel that I can no longer improve or that I cannot reach the standards I want to be at, I'm not going to hang around.

“I don't want to be a cricketer who bows out in decline and that's why this winter is so important.”

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