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Never imagined in a million years: James Anderson on becoming most-capped English Test player

James Anderson is fit and running and he showed that in the county championship game he played earlier this month. Now the 38-year-old would be aspiring to, first, equal his former skipper Alastair Cook’s record for most Test caps (161) when he plays the first Test of the two Tests series against New Zealand at Lord's on June 2, and, then overhaul it by getting a place in the XI in the second Test as well. 

"For a bowler to play this amount of games, I don't know what the word is, but it's a bit mind-blowing to me," a thrilled Anderson was quoted as saying to Skysports. "It does make me feel proud. I never imagined in a million years I'd get to this point. I don't feel like I've played that many games. My body doesn't feel old or tired,” added the man who has played 160 Tests in a span of 18 years. 

Talking about his love for the format in which he is the highest wicket-taker among the active bowlers, Anderson said that he loves Test cricket. “I've got a huge passion for it. Growing up, all I wanted to do is play Test cricket for England and I'm honoured I've been able to do it for this long,” the Burnley born added. 

The right arm swing bowler is also approaching another milestone of 1000 First Class wickets, having accumulated 992 till now. Anderson believes that it is a rare feat considering the amount of T20 cricket that is being played currently in the world. 

“It's a lot of wickets and in this day and age, I don't know if it's possible to get that many first-class wickets anymore,” said Anderson who picked up three wickets playing for Lancashire against Glamorgan in the Championship recently.  “With the amount of cricket that's played there doesn't seem to be that longevity in bowlers and there's loads of T20 cricket and whatever else going on around the world. I'm just happy to still be here, to be honest,” he added. 

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