James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker across formats, is set to be given a knighthood in former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours.
Anderson, 42, retired from Test cricket last summer with 704 wickets, the third-most ever and the most by a fast bowler in the format's history. Anderson’s monumental contributions to cricket will be recognised with a knighthood in Sunak’s resignation honours list. The England legend, who previously received an OBE from the Prince of Wales in 2016, also made history as one of the few pacers to compete in his 40s – and in February 2023, he became the oldest bowler ever to top the ICC Test rankings.
He made his first appearance for England in an ODI against Australia in December 2002 before his Test debut in May 2003. He went on to play 188 Tests, 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is for England in a career spanning over two decades.
Arise, Sir James Anderson! 🐐
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 11, 2025
England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker has received a knighthood.#Cricket #jamesAnderson pic.twitter.com/rwLfQQlyWF
Alongside Strauss, Anderson’s former captain Alastair Cook has also been knighted. Among notable non-British cricketers honored with knighthoods are Donald Bradman, Richard Hadlee, Clive Lloyd, Garry Sobers, Viv Richards, and Curtly Ambrose.
Where has Anderson been since his retirement?
After retiring following the Lord’s Test against the West Indies in July last year, Anderson transitioned into a fast-bowling consultant for the rest of the series. His role was extended for the subsequent Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.
Anderson had also expressed interest in becoming a T20 globetrotter, registering for the IPL 2025 auction. Despite his ambitions, the 42-year-old found no takers – his last T20 match having come 11 years prior.
Anderson was poised for his 24th season of English cricket, but an untimely calf injury – sustained during Lancashire’s pre-season tour of Desert Springs, Spain in late March – has delayed his return. The setback will rule him out for at least the first month of Lancashire’s County Championship campaign.
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