England’s record wicket-taker James Anderson to be knighted

England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson is to be given a knighthood for services to cricket.

Anderson, 42, retired from Test cricket last summer with 704 wickets, making him the most successful pace bowler in the format.

He made his first appearance for England in a one-day international against Australia in December 2002 before his Test debut in May 2003.

Anderson went on to play 188 Tests, 194 ODIs and 19 T20 internationals for England during an international career which spanned two decades.

The Lancashire player has been given the knighthood in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list – the only sportsperson to be given an award.

Anderson’s decision to retire from international duty came after England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes decided they want to build an attack for the future.

He was given an emotional farewell in the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s last July and then immediately joined the England backroom team as a fast-bowling mentor.

He no longer has a formal coaching role with England and could still work with the squad during the summer, although he said his priority is to continue his playing career for Lancashire.

Anderson has not played since he retired from international cricket but has signed a deal to play for the Red Rose county this summer.

Burnley-born Anderson said at the start of the month he is not ruling out playing for up to three more years.

He is currently out with a calf injury picked up during pre-season training which has ruled him out of the first block of County Championship matches.

Anderson made his Lancashire debut in white-ball cricket in 2000, before making his red-ball debut in 2002.

He has taken 1,114 first-class wickets, 358 in List A cricket and 41 in T20s. (BBC)