England to play 1000th Test: Unique records and stats
England invented the game of cricket and the first Test match was played between England and Australia on March 15 1877. The Three Lions were also the founding member of the ICC (earlier known as Imperial Cricket Conference), along with Australia and South Africa. On August 1, 2018, England will script history by becoming the first nation to play 1,000 Tests. Here's more!
The first Test match and the first Test series
The first Test series in cricket's history was when England toured Australia in 1877. The first Test was played in Melbourne, Australia, commencing at 1.05 PM on March 15, 1877. Alfred Shaw of England bowled the first delivery with Australian Charles Bannerman scoring the first single and the first Test century in the match. The series ended in a tie.
England's rivalry with Australia and the history of the Ashes
England and Australia have a legendary cricketing rivalry. The rivalry caught fire when Australia won a Test series on English soil in 1882. Now obsolete, The Sporting Times, printed that English cricket had died, and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia". With England captain, Ivo Bligh, promising to bring back the Ashes, began the most iconic cricketing rivalry.
Alastair Cook: The most prolific English Test batsman
Alastair Cook has numerous Test records. He has amassed 12,000+ Test runs, the most by an Englishman. Cook holds the record of the most number of half-centuries (56) and centuries (32) by an Englishman. Further, he has the most catches by an English cricketer (162). He has played the highest number of matches as England captain (59) and the most consecutive Test matches ever.
James Anderson creating history in the bowling department
The fast bowler, James Anderson, is leading England's bowling faculty. He is the highest wicket-taker for England in both Test and ODI formats. Anderson has taken a total of 540 wickets in 138 matches at an average of 27.23. His best performance came against Pakistan in 2010. Anderson has the second highest five-for by an Englishman (25). Ian Botham leads the list with 27.
The best English Test captains of all time
Ivo Bligh is one of the best ever to captain England. He promised to bring back the Ashes and kept his word. Michael Vaughan is another iconic figure in this category, under whose leadership England secured seven consecutive Test wins. Further, Vaughan also led England to their first series win in South Africa. Other notable figures- Raymond Illingworth, Mike Brearley, and Douglas Jardine.
Other amazing records by English Test cricketers
Sydney Barnes holds the English record for the most 10-wicket hauls (7). Alan Knott is England's most successful wicket-keeper with 269 dismissals. England hold two age records, James Southerton, oldest to make Test debut (49); Wilfred Rhodes, oldest to play in a Test Match (49).
