Alec Stewart was presented with a commemorative bat in the Lord's outfield before making a record 119th Test appearance for England.
The bat, with gold plates listing all of the Test countries that the wicketkeeper-batsman has played against, was handed over by England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Lord MacLaurin.
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AJ Stewart 119 GA Gooch 118 DI Gower 117 MA Atherton 115 MC Cowdrey 114 G Boycott 108 IT Botham 102 |
He now stands ninth on the all-tim Test list, two behind West Indies great Viv Richards but well off the record 156 appearances of Australia's Allan Border.
"When I made my debut for England it was a dream come true and to be here is a great achievement," said Stewart.
"I'm proud and I'm sure my family is proud."
Nasser Hussain said that the feat was all the more remarkable as Stewart did not appear at Test level, against West Indies in Jamaice, until he was 27.
"He's had a fantastic career," said the England captain.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney added: "He's the consumate professional, and the one allrounder of international calibre that England possess."
Thursday, 25 July, 2002, 09:57 GMT 10:57 UK 
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