Anderson breaks England Test caps record

Fast bowler James Anderson became England's most capped Test player after being selected to play in the series decider against New Zealand.

The 38-year-old wins his 162nd cap at Edgbaston, surpassing former captain Alastair Cook.

Lancashire's Anderson made his Test debut in 2003 and has taken 616 wickets - an England record.

"I can't believe I have got this far," Anderson told BBC Sport. "It's been an amazing journey."

He is seventh on the overall list for most caps and fourth for most wickets, the leading fast bowler in each.

Anderson added: "I'm lucky that I have got a body that can cope with the rigours of bowling.

"I do work hard at my fitness and my skills. It also having the hunger to turn up every day to try to get better.

"That is all I've done since I became a professional and that will hopefully continue for a few more years yet."

Anderson revealed he received a congratulatory phone call from former team-mate Cook on Wednesday night and he was presented with a special shirt with the number 162 on the back by his England team-mates before play on Thursday.

"That phone call meant a lot from such a close mate," said Anderson. "To go past him is very special."

Anderson made his England debut in a one-day international against Australia in December 2002.

He went on to play 194 ODIs and 19 Twenty20s, and his 375 caps across all three formats is also an England record.

He made his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord's 18 years ago and has played under eight different captains.

"It's a phenomenal achievement for any player to play that amount of games," current Test skipper Joe Root said on Wednesday.

"It's history-making for him to go through to that milestone."

Source: BBC