Update: James Anderson to be knighted as England cricket legend’s career recognised News

James Anderson will be knighted in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list after the former England bowler enjoyed a glittering career with the red and white ball

James Anderson is set to be knighted in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list. The 42-year-old, who was a beacon of excellence for England for over two decades, will now have his contributions acknowledged.

Anderson received an OBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace back in 2016. The Lancashire bowler is considered one of the sport’s greatest ever and holds the record for the most wickets taken by a fast bowler in Test cricket with 704.

He is among the rare fast bowlers to play into their 40s and in February 2023 became the oldest player to top the ICC men’s Test bowling rankings.

Anderson is England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker and has also played more Test matches for England than any other player – second only to India’s Sachin Tendulkar on the global list.

Among Anderson’s achievements is being England’s top wicket-taker in One Day Internationals with 269. He finally hung up his international boots in July 2024, reports the Mirror.

In April of the previous year, Sunak posted a video on social media showing him being put through his paces in the nets as Anderson bowled at the former Prime Minister, who is known to be a massive cricket enthusiast.

England cricket legend Sir Andrew Strauss is among the elite group to have been honoured with a knighthood, and he has previously voiced his opinion that James Anderson also merits this distinction. Last year, when questioned about Anderson’s eligibility for a knighthood, Strauss didn’t hesitate to endorse him, stating: “Very much so! I think any fast bowler that plays 188 Test matches deserves a knighthood, I’ll put it that way.”

Sir Alastair Cook, another of Anderson’s ex-colleagues, has been knighted, and now the Burnley-born fast bowler is set to join this prestigious circle, alongside other cricketing greats such as Sir Geoffrey Boycott.