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THE ANALYST

Q: What is the significance of the numbers underneath the three lions on England shirts?


A: The numbers are located beneath the three lions crest (see Darren Gough's 568, left) and indicate the amount of players who have represented England in Test matches. For instance, Usman Afzaal sported the number 606 on his shirt, meaning he is the 606th player to represent England.



Although the shirt numbers are a recent innovation – introduced for the opening Test of the summer against Pakistan – it is possible to look back throughout the game's history to identify previous players.

As England's first Test (in March 1877) featured 11 players making their debuts the original numbers were ordered alphabetically, meaning Tom Armitage took the honour of being No 1.

Taking that further on Bill Edrich was the 300th and Norman Cowans the 500th.

Click here for a full list of England's Test players, with their corresponding cap numbers.


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