Sir James Anderson and Stuart Broad were together at the Home of Cricket on Wednesday for the unveiling of a joint portrait in the famous Long Room. Two of England’s greatest fast bowlers have been brought together once again and this time in a portrait that will keep their remarkable partnership alive at Lord’s Painted by award-winning British portrait artist Jamie Routley RP. The artwork celebrates a 17-year partnership that became one of the defining stories of modern English Test cricket. The unveiling took place at 5pm, just a day before England began their second Test match against Pakistan at Lords. 

Sir James Anderson and Stuart Broad finished their Test careers with a combined 1308 wickets. Anderson claimed 704 wickets in 188 Tests before ending his international career in 2024, while Broad finished with 604 wickets from 167 matches after retiring from Test cricket in 2023. For decades, these two formed a great partnership with the ball for England. The new painting is also significant for Lord’s. It is the first double portrait commissioned by the Marylebone Cricket Club under its Lord’s Portrait Programme. The artwork will now become a permanent part of the MCC collection at the ground. The artwork also contains personal details that connect the bowlers to their England careers. Their England cap numbers which are 613 for Anderson and 638 for Broad feature in the composition, while Broad is shown wearing a sleeveless jumper that belonged to his father, former England cricketer Chris Broad.

Lord’s Pays Tribute to Two Modern-Day England Greats ahead of England's second Test against Pakistan

Jimmy Anderson took the new ball and is known for swing and control while Broad bowled with bounce and seam. They were a lethal combination together. Their longevity was equally excellent. Broad made his Test debut in 2007 and retired in 2023. Anderson retired in 2024 ending an international career that had stretched across more than 20 years. These two bowlers were the mainstay for over a decade. They were at the top of the England attack for almost 17 years. Their connection with Lord’s makes the tribute even more deserving. Anderson is the leading Test wicket-taker at the ground with 123 wickets in 29 matches, while Broad is second with 113 wickets from 28 appearances. Anderson also appears seven times on the Lord’s Honours Boards with Broad represented on both the bowling and batting boards. 

England’s second Test against Pakistan at Lords had been delayed due to rain. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first as overcast conditions offered assistance to their pacers. England were soon under serious pressure, losing four wickets for just 80 runs by Lunch. Mohammad Abbas was excellent with the new ball picking up three wickets including that of England captain Joe Root. England recovered well with Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith scoring fifties before getting dismissed. Mohammad Ali also picked up three wickets and the Day 1 of the second Test was competitive with England 248/9 as bad light stopped play on the third session.