Cook equals Border as Test's marathon man

Alastair Cook has equalled Allan Border's record of appearing in most consecutive Test matches.

Alastair Cook plays a shot against Pakistan

England's Alastair Cook on Thursday equalled the record for playing in the most consecutive number of Tests when he took guard against Pakistan at the Lord's.

The feat is long held by former Australia captain Allan Border with 153 consecutive Tests. Border, who made his debut in the 1978 Ashes at home, was dropped for only a single Test in a career which spanned 156 appearances.

Cook made his Test debut at 21 against India before illness ruled him out of the next match. Since then, he has not missed a single Test for England. Barring an injury, the former England skipper is set to overtake Border's 24-year record.

 

The other players to appear in 100 or more consecutive Tests are Australia's Mark Waugh (107), India's Sunil Gavaskar (106) and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum (101).

In fact, McCullum holds the record for appearing in most consecutive Tests since debut (101).