Stewart's caps record a reward for dedication

There will be nothing special about an England captain writing down the name "AJ Stewart" on his team-sheet tomorrow morning, as it will be the 119th time this event has occurred. However, when Nasser Hussain performs this simple task he will allow Alec Stewart to stand on his own as England's highest-ever capped Test cricketer.

For Stewart, as patriotic a cricketer as England has produced, this will be a huge honour and the source of enormous pride, fitting on top of a list containing names such as Gooch, Botham, Gower, Boycott and Cowdrey. It is also the reward for more than 12 years of devoted service to the game and having signed this summer's 12th England contract yesterday does not appear to coming to a close. There have been better England players than the Surrey batsman, even during his career, but I doubt if there has ever been a more professional one. For some being professional means being paid to do your job, to the former England captain it means dedicating the way you lead your life to the task of performing to your maximum on the field.

This more than anything has been the reason for the longevity of his career. His preparation is immaculate, just like the corner of the dressing-room where he changes. Many players changing areas resemble a bomb site. Not Stewart's, though: his has pairs of shoes, gloves and bats numbered and neatly put in a line.

Sharing a room with him is an unforgettable experience. Unlike most players on tour, who just throw their suitcase in the corner of the bedroom and live out of it, he empties his, uses the drawers and the hangers, neatly lays out his toothbrush and shaving cream in the bathroom. Living with him must be a doddle. No wonder his is one of the few cricket marriages to have lasted.

Asked what he felt the qualities were that set him apart Stewart said: "I leave nothing to chance in my preparation, before I go out on to the cricket field, whether it be in the way I train in the nets, the fielding and keeping sessions I do or the fitness levels I try and maintain. My desire to be successful as an individual and for the team are also very high, and I never give up no matter the situation."

Pretty impressive stuff and, if combined with a fair amount of natural talent, it is not surprising that you end up with this result.

His list of achievements and records, things he holds quite dear, are endless and an attempt to document these here would fail to do them justice. However, it seems hard to believe that when Stewart walked nervously on to the ground at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica on 24 February 1990 – with his white helmet on and the same mannerisms as he has today – we were witnessing the arrival of one of England's great cricketers.

Asked whether he envisaged going this far on that day, Stewart said: "I didn't have a clue. When I started I just wanted to have a Test career, and by that I mean play 25 Test matches. Then I could at least say I played a bit for my country."

He went on: "My first cap, was the biggest. From a schoolboy it was always the one I wanted and that is the most nervous I have been, going out to bat in Jamaica. The hostility of the crowd and facing fast bowling was a big thing, but hitting my first ball for four helped settle the nerves. After playing the first one and having enjoyed the occasion, I wanted more. The fact that I have gone on to play for 12 or 13 years means that I have played good international cricket over that period of time."

Stewart, did not settle into Test cricket immediately. It took him six Tests to score his first half-century and a further eight to post his maiden hundred. This came against Sri Lanka at Lord's in 1991, but after that there was no looking back for the elegant right-hander.

By now his attacking style of batting, which complemented the steadfast approach of Michael Atherton superbly, was the fulcrum around which England based their cricket in the 1990s. His consistent ability to take on and get the better of the best fast-bowling attacks in the world became legendary and nowhere was this was highlighted more than at Bridgetown, Barbados, in 1994. There he became the first Englishman to score a century in each innings of a Test against the West Indies.

By nature Stewart is a private, almost shy man. He keeps himself very much to himself and there would only be a very small circle of friends who could say they really know him. This is surprising for someone who appears to thrive on performing on the big occasion.

Stages do not get much bigger than the Lord's Test which starts tomorrow. It is fitting that Hussain, who made his debut during that same Test match 12 years ago, should be his captain and that Simon Jones, a young fast bowler with it all to look forward to, should be starting his Test career. I doubt if either of these two believed they would be here a dozen years ago either.

ALEC STEWART HIGHS AND LOWS OF ENGLAND'S RECORD-BREAKER

Name: Alec James Stewart.

Date of Birth: 8 April, 1963.

Test Debut: v West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica 1990.

Tests: 118. Runs: 7,632. Average: 39.54. Highest score: 190 v Pakistan, Edgbaston, 1992. 100s: 15. 50s: 38. Catches: 229. Stumpings: 12.

Highlights: Hundred in both innings at Bridge-town, 1994. Winning Test series against South Africa as England captain at Headingley in 1998.

Disappointments: "Losing World Cup final 1992. Failing to have won Ashes yet".

Toughest opponent: "Steve Waugh – doesn't know when to quit".

Best bowler faced: "Shane Warne".

Quickest ball faced: "Allan Donald, Johannesburg 1999".

Quickest bowling faced: "Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, Old Trafford 1992".

Most talented opponents: "Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara".

Best England innings: "164 v South Africa, Old Trafford 1998".