Jimmy Anderson is to be awarded a knighthood for “services to cricket” a year on from the final Test of his record-breaking England career.
Anderson was widely tipped to have his previous OBE upgraded after retiring from international cricket last summer and on Friday was the only sportsperson to feature in the resignation honours list of former prime minister – and cricket fan – Rishi Sunak.
While Anderson signed off from England duty with 704 Test wickets – a national record and the third-highest tally by any bowler in history – the 42-year is still technically an active cricketer, having re-signed to play for Lancashire this year.
A calf injury has delayed Anderson’s start to the current county season but it may not be his last anyway, having recently stated he could play for “three more years”. It means a career haul of 1,126 first-class wickets will only swell further.
“Congratulations Sir Jimmy Anderson,” said Richard Thompson, the current chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board. “This is a really well-deserved honour for an England legend who has given so much to our sport.
“Jimmy’s career has been marked by extraordinary achievements, not least in winning the Ashes four times and becoming England’s all-time leading wicket-taker.
“His skill, determination, and sportsmanship have inspired millions of cricketers and fans alike, in England and around the world.
“This is fitting recognition for a true world-great who has given so much to the game on and off the field.”
Anderson, whose 188 Test caps are second only to India’s Sachin Tendulkar (200), is the third English cricketer of his generation to receive the honour, with former teammates Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook both knighted back in 2019.
Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, said: “Everybody associated with Lancashire Cricket is incredibly proud of James. “His contribution to the game of cricket, spanning across three decades, has been immense and he is extremely deserving of this honour.
“His knighthood is testament to the commitment and dedication he has shown to England and to Lancashire, and he has always represented the game of cricket with distinction throughout his career.”
A report by the Sunday Times in early 2021 had suggested Anderson was due to join Strauss and Cook after passing 600 Test wickets the previous summer, only for the honour to be held back amid concerns he might be sledged about it during the following winter’s Ashes series.
“I thought it was a pretty unusual story,” Anderson said at the time. “I’ve not heard anything like that. And I’m sure it won’t stop Australia sledging me anyway, to be honest. I pretty much get a big barrage when I go there anyway.”
