CRICKET legend Jimmy Anderson has been given a knighthood by former PM Rishi Sunak — along with a string of senior Tories.
The England fast bowler, who retired from international duty in July with a record 704 wickets, was rewarded for “services to cricket”.
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His Test total is the third highest in history. The Lancashire star earned 188 caps, behind only the 200 given to India’s Sachin Tendulkar.
Last night England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson said: “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.”
Anderson’s former teammates Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook were knighted in 2019
Cricket-loving Mr Sunak gave peerages to ex-Cabinet ministers Michael Gove, Mark Harper, Simon Hart, Victoria Prentis and Alister Jack.
Lord Gove, now editor of the Spectator magazine, was hailed by Mr Sunak for his work in multiple roles including as Education Secretary.
He said his reforms “resulted in a sustained improvement in performance in world rankings”.
Senior Tories to be handed knighthoods include ex-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, former Home Secretary James Cleverly, ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, and current Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride.
Filmmaker Matthew Vaughn, who produced blockbusters like Snatch and Layer Cake, was also made a Sir in Mr Sunak’s resignation honours.
Former Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell, caught up in “Plebgate”, was made a Knight Commander.
Ex-Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers becomes a Dame Commander.
Mr Sunak was PM between October 2022 and July 2024 when he was thumped in the election by Sir Keir Starmer.
He has vowed to abolish the House of Lords entirely but that is not expected before the next Election.
In her sole peerage nomination, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has put England’s former top Ofsted inspector Amanda Spielman in the Lords.
Ms Spielman was recently attacked by Labour insiders after criticising the Government’s academy reforms.
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