GONGS FOR OUR CRICKET HEROES
BEN STOKES and other heroes of Eoin Morgan’ s World Cup-winning side have had their achievements recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Stokes, the winner of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, has been awarded an OBE after a golden summer of cricket which he marked with two of the finest performances in history.
The all-rounder hit an unbeaten 84 and then starred in the dramatic Super Over as England overcame New Zealand in the World Cup final in July. Six weeks later he followed it up with a stunning 135 not out to lead England to victory in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
That match- winning innings included a last-wicket stand of 76 with Jack Leach to cement Stokes’ place among England cricket greats. For Stokes (below), it represented a transformation in his fortunes, after his career was plunged into controversy following a brawl in Bristol, an incident over which the cricketer was acquitted of all charges.
One-day captain Morgan has been made a CBE, while wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler and Test skipper Joe Root become MBEs.
Trevor Bayliss has also been made an OBE. Alongside Morgan, the Australian coach revolutionised England’s white-ball cricket. Colin Graves, the ECB chairman, has been made a CBE.
Last night, Morgan said: ‘I’m very proud to have been awarded a CBE. Winning the World Cup has been a dream come true and the honours and awards that have come since that day at Lord’s really mean a lot to everyone connected with the team.
‘The events of that day at Lord’s were the result of many years of hard work and dedication and I see this honour — and the honours for my team-mates — as honours for the whole team, for everything they put into winning that tournament and getting over the line.’ The array of honours for cricketers is reward for the way they captured the public’s imagination in a manner not seen since 2005. That year, the whole England Ashes squad, and some backroom staff, were given gongs. This time round, the slimmed- down list mirrors that which followed
England Women’s
World Cup win in 2017. Elsewhere former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has been knighted while the great wicketkeeper Alan Knott becomes an MBE.
In football, former Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes has been made an MBE, while champion National Hunt racehorse trainers Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have been awarded OBEs.
Following another stellar year for women’s sport, a host of competitors and administrators have been recognised, including Sportsmail columnist Jill Scott. The Manchester City star is made an MBE after helping England reach the World Cup semi-final.
Jade Jones, winner of two Olympic taekwondo gold medals, is awaded an OBE after capturing her first world title. She said: ‘2019 has been a brilliant year and it’s an absolute privilege to be listed in the New Years Honours list alongside some incredible people.’
Golf ’ s Catriona Matthew is awarded an OBE after leading Europe to victory over the United States in the Solheim Cup.
Kelly Sotherton, twice an Olympic bronze medal-winner in the heptathlon, broadcaster Gabby Logan and former world squash champion Laura Massaro have been made MBEs, as have netball stars Serena Guthrie and Joanne Harten after England reached the semi-finals at this year’s World Cup.
Another recipient of an MBE is British Gymnastics chief Jane Allen. ‘I accept this award on behalf of everybody at British Gymnastics who has been involved in the growth and development of gymnastics as well as the fantastic achievements of our athletes on the world stage,’ Allen said.