England became the first cricket team in 142 years to play 500 test matches

The first Test match ever was played between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between 15 and 19 March 1877. 142 years later, England became the first cricket team ever to play 500 Test matches when they took the field against South Africa in the third encounter of the ongoing four-match series in Port Elizabeth. In 500 away Tests, England has so far managed to win 149 matches.