London: James Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker is set to receive a knighthood in recognition of his record-breaking 21-year career.
The honor comes as part of former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honors list.
The 42-year-old cricketing great retired from international duty in July 2024, following his final Test match against the West Indies at Lord’s– the same venue where he debuted as a 20-year-old against Zimbabwe in May 2003.
Throughout his legendary Test career, Anderson claimed 704 wickets in 188 matches, making him England’s all-time leading wicket-taker and the most prolific fast bowler in the history of the format. Only India’s Sachin Tendulkar has played more Tests.
Though Anderson stepped away from white-ball cricket in 2015, his legacy in limited-overs formats remains unmatched.
With 269 wickets in ODIs and 18 in T20 Internationals, he closed his England career just nine wickets shy of a remarkable 1,000 international wickets.
Congratulations, Sir Jimmy Anderson 👑
Our bowling legend has been awarded a knighthood as part of Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list 🎖️ pic.twitter.com/EnnGucqWsE
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 11, 2025
Anderson becomes the second former England cricketer to be knighted by a departing Conservative prime minister in recent years, following Sir Geoffrey Boycott’s controversial honor in 2019 under Theresa May’s administration. This time, however, the recognition has been met with widespread approval.
The honor also aligns with Sunak’s well-known passion for cricket. Anderson joins five other new knights in Sunak’s honors list, which also includes senior cabinet figures such as James Cleverley, Jeremy Hunt, Grant Shapps, and Mel Stride, along with filmmaker Matthew Vaughn.
Anderson’s place in cricket history is already cemented – four Ashes victories, nearly 1,000 international wickets, and two decades of dominance with the red ball.
Now, the title of “Sir Jimmy Anderson” adds a final, fitting chapter to the career of one of the greatest fast bowlers the sport has ever seen.
