Arise, Sir Alastair England’s record run-scorer in line for knighthood
Ex-england captain in line for New Year award Calls grow for Anderson also to get recognition
Alastair Cook is in line for a knighthood but may be reliant on an intervention from cricket fan Theresa May to be honoured in time for the Queen’s New Year list, The Daily Telegraph understands.
The former England cricket captain and nation’s record run-scorer meets the threshold of having made a sustained global impact in his sport, sources close to the honours system said. “A knighthood is a question of when, not if,” one wellplaced insider said.
However, Cook, who signed off from Test cricket this week with an innings of 147, may have to wait because the committee is limited in the number of knighthoods it can give out each year. The panel is understood to have come under pressure from the Cabinet Office to be more strict in considering candidates in recent years.
Cook, 33, who already has a CBE for his services to sport, would normally be nominated either through an application from the public to the Cabinet Office or via sporting governing bodies. The process was described as “slow and tortuous” by one Whitehall insider.
“The Prime Minister has intervened before,” the source added. “After the 2012 Olympics [when she was Home Secretary], she told the committee to go ahead with issuing awards. She loves cricket and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that she may suggest Cook.”
Calls have also been made for James Anderson to receive fresh recognition after he became the leading fast-bowling Test wickettaker – with a wicket that won the fifth and final Test against India.
Paralympic champion Tanni Greythompson, a former member of the committee, said Cook deserved all the praise he was receiving. “What Cook has achieved is so fantastic and people should be proud,” said Baroness Grey-thompson.
Richard Caborn, a former sports minister and Sheffield MP, said authorities should do all they could to ensure the pair are recognised by the new year.
“Cook is the best batsman this country has produced and the both of them already have very worthy claims for the honours list,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the honours list has been watered down in the past but I think the likes of Cook and Anderson won’t be forgotten. They would have been recognised in any era and I would be amazed if they were not both knighted at the next available opportunity.”
The sporting panel often chooses to wait until athletes have retired, but made exceptions in recent years for Andy Murray and a host of Olympic gold medallists.
Sir Hugh Robertson, chairman of the British Olympic Association, chairs the independent sporting honours committee, but a representative from Downing Street is invited to attend all meetings.
Mark Llewellyn-slade, a Queen’s honours expert, said: “If the Prime Minister sent a note to the honours and appointments secretariat, saying in light of the fact he [Cook] only announced he was retiring recently, I think she would have justification in saying ‘can you push this through while it’s still relevant’.”
The Cabinet Office refused to confirm whether Cook or Anderson had been nominated for awards.
A spokeswoman said: “There are four criteria the sporting committee particularly look at for all honours: sporting excellence; what they give back to the community and/or their sport; their length of service and career achievements; and finally what honours they already hold.”
The Prime Minister, who attended the Lord’s Test this summer against Pakistan, is known to be a fan of batsmen – she has said her favourite player is Geoffrey Boycott. Downing Street refused to comment.