Port Elizabeth, Jan 17: England have become the first team in the world to play 500 Test matches on foreign soil. They achieved the feat during the third Test of the ongoing four-match series against South Africa which began at the St George's Park on Thursday.
England had played their first away Test match -- which was also the first officially recognised Test match -- under James Lillywhite's captaincy against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) between March 15 and 19, 1877. Australia had won that match by 45 runs.
In 500 away Tests, the Three Lions so far have managed to win 149 matches, while losing 182. Australia are the second team to play the most away Test. Out of 404 matches they have played so far, they have won 147, lost 125 and drawn 131.
