English cricketers who have received knighthoods

Cook joins an illustrious list.

Former England captain Alastair Cook is set to receive a knighthood for services to cricket mere months after bringing a distinguished international career to an end.

Cook becomes the first English cricketer to be bestowed the honour since 2007 when Sir Ian Botham was knighted, not only for his impact in cricket but in recognition of his charity work, too.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at other English cricketers to receive the distinction.

Francis Lacey

First-class statistics: Matches: 50; Runs scored: 2,589; Wickets: 52.

Cricket – Lord’s Bicentenary Match – MCC v Rest of the World – Lords — Lacey was secretary of Marylebone Cricket Club (Adam Davy/PA)

Pelham Warner

Tests: 15; Runs: 622; Hundreds: 1; Batting average: 23.92.

Cricket – County Championship – Middlesex v Kent – Day Two – Lord’s — Sir Pelham ‘Plum’ Warner, Middlesex (PA Archive/PA Images)

Jack Hobbs

Tests: 61; Runs 5,140; Hundreds: 15; Batting average: 56.94.

Henry Leveson-Gower

Tests: 3; Runs: 95; Hundreds: 0; Batting average: 23.75.

A nickname of ‘Shrimp’ that stuck with him throughout his playing career, Leveson-Gower was knighted in the same year as former Surrey and England team-mate Hobbs. However, Leveson-Gower, who captained England in all three Tests he played in South Africa in 1910, received the honour in recognition of being a legislator and a long-serving England Test selector following the end of his playing days.