Alastair Cook, the former English opener and the former English Test & ODI captain, has been honoured with a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours. The 34-year-old is the 11th English cricketer to be honoured with this respectable honorary title.
Only a few months ago, Cook ended his around 12-year long international cricketing career. In last September, Cook played his final international match during the Oval Test against India where he scored 71 and 147 runs respectively.
Since his international debut in 2006, the left-handed opening batsman played 161 Tests, 92 ODIs and four T20Is for England where he scored 12,472 runs (average 45.35), 3,204 runs (average 36.40) and 61 runs (15.25) respectively.
Cook finished his international career as the fifth most Test run-scorer of all time and the leading Test run-scorer of all time as a left-handed batsman.
Also read: Alastair Cook Signs Off With Entering The Top-10 ICC Rankings
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chairman Colin Graves is feeling delightful with this latest honour to the former English cricketer.
Colin Graves said, “Alastair Cook has given so much to English cricket and I’m delighted that he has received this honour. It’s a fitting tribute to a man who has led with distinction on and off the pitch ever since he made his England debut.
“The statistics across that time tell the story of his special ability – as do the winners’ medals and Ashes trophies – but he is also someone who’s been a great role model for our sport. We’re very fortunate to have had Alastair in English cricket and we’re very grateful for his contributions to the game.”
Also watch: Alastair Cook Gets A Special Gift From British Media
Also, English women’s cricketing legend Enid Bakewell has been honoured with the MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). The Caribbean legend Alvin Kallicharran and the English cricket writer-historian-statistician Peter Wynne-Thomas both have been honoured with the British Empire Medal.
Talking about that ECB Chairman added, “It’s also fantastic news for Enid Bakewell, Peter Wynne-Thomas and Alvin Kallicharran. All three of them have contributed hugely to our great sport and we congratulate them on their honours.”
On the other hand, ECB CEO Tom Harrison has been thrilled with the latest honour of Cook. He feels that Cook deserves to achieve this rare honour for his fearless cricket with the top dedication.
Tom said, “I am absolutely thrilled that Alastair has been awarded a knighthood for his extraordinary service to cricket and to his country. Alastair is the very definition of what a sporting role model should be – a man who completely embodies what it means to play for England on and off the field and understands the responsibility that goes along with it.
“Throughout his long international career, he has set the example for others to follow. We are exceptionally fortunate to have had him represent England since 2006, both as a fearless and record-breaking opening batsman and as one of our most successful captains of all time.
“Since he was flown out to Nagpur as a last-minute replacement he’s poured every ounce of his commitment into English cricket. His final century was incredibly special and will live with everyone who witnessed it for a long time.
“He has given everything to this sport and he’s done so in a way that embodies much of what is great about cricket. While the list of his records may never be passed, it is his contribution as a person and as a leader that will go beyond even his statistical achievements. It is a rare honour and one that he richly deserves.”
