James Anderson has now become the most capped player for England in Test cricket in the second Test of the series against New Zealand. He has surpassed former skipper Alastair Cook, who featured in 161 Tests for England to become the longest-serving member of the England cricket team.
Looking back at his long journey at the international level, Anderson said he could barely believe the longevity of his journey on the big stage and also called himself lucky to have a body that kept him going for such a long time.
"I can't believe I have got this far. It's been an amazing journey. I'm lucky that I have got a body that can cope with the rigours of bowling,” Anderson told BBC Sport.
Anderson made his debut in the year 2003 and has scalped 616 wickets during the course. He surpassed Sir Ian Botham's record 383 wickets in Tests in 2015 and became the first England bowler to pick 400 and 500 Test wickets. The Lancashire player became the first fast bowler to scalp 600 wickets.
Anderson has also been an integral part of four successful Ashes campaigns for England in 2009, 2010-11, 2013 and 2015.
Talking about his fitness, the pacer admitted that he works a lot on his fitness. "I work hard at my fitness and my skills. It also has the hunger to turn up every day to try to get better,” he said.
England are taking on New Zealand in the second Test of the two-match series at Edgbaston. The first clash between the two sides ended in a draw. Both sides made few changes.
New Zealand were without the services of their regular captain Kane Williamson, spinner Mitchell Santner and wicket-keeper batsman BJ Watling. Williamson is missing this match to get some rest for his 'irritated' left elbow while Santner was ruled out of this game with a split left index finger.
Watling was out of the Test after failing to recover from a sore back. The home side on the other hand were without Olli Robinson who made his debut at Lord’s and picked up seven wickets in two innings.
He was suspended by the ECB after the racist and sexist tweets that he had posted when he was a teenager had resurfaced.