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England’s legendary fast bowler James Anderson was officially knighted during a prestigious ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, October 28. The 43-year-old pacer received the honour from Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, recognizing his monumental contributions to the sport over a remarkable 22-year career.
During the investiture ceremony, Anderson was joined by his wife Daniella and their two daughters, Lola and Ruby. The event celebrated not only his cricketing milestones but also his personal journey, from making his Test debut at Lord’s in 2003 to concluding his storied career on the same ground two decades later.
James Anderson’s achievements in international cricket
James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket in July 2024 at Lord’s, ended his international career as England’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 704 Test wickets in 188 matches. This makes him the most successful fast bowler in Test history, trailing only spin legends Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and Shane Warne (708 wickets) on the overall list. Anderson also holds the England record for most wickets in One Day Internationals (269), despite playing his last white-ball game in 2015.
Knighthood: A fitting tribute to England cricketers
The knighthood awarded to Anderson is one of the highest civilian honours in the UK, celebrating his exceptional achievements and services to cricket. He was named in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list earlier in 2025, becoming the only sportsperson to be recognized. Sir James Anderson joins an elite group of cricket icons, including Sir Ian Botham, Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Sir Alastair Cook and Sir Andrew Strauss.
The honour not only recognises his statistical milestones but also acknowledges his contributions as a mentor, leader, and ambassador of the game, inspiring countless cricketers with his professionalism and passion.
Also READ: James Anderson picks two fastest bowlers he has seen in world cricket
Complete list of England cricketers to receive knighthood
| Name | Year of Knighthood |
|---|---|
| Francis Lacey | 1926 |
| Frederick Toone | 1929 |
| Pelham Warner | 1937 |
| John Hobbs | 1953 |
| Henry Leveson Gower | 1953 |
| Leonard Hutton | 1956 |
| Neville Cardus | 1967 |
| Gubby Allen | 1986 |
| Colin Cowdrey | 1992 |
| Alec Bedser | 1996 |
| Ian Botham | 2007 |
| Alastair Cook | 2019 |
| Geoffrey Boycott | 2019 |
| Andrew Strauss | 2019 |
| James Anderson | 2025 |
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