Windsor, October 28: Former England fast bowler James Anderson has been knighted for his outstanding services to cricket in a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The honour was conferred by Princess Anne, marking a historic moment in the career of one of the game’s all-time greats.
Anderson, 43, was included in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list announced in April, recognising his extraordinary contribution to cricket over a two-decade international career.
The Lancashire seamer retired from international cricket in July 2024, closing the curtain on a remarkable 21-year Test career that redefined fast bowling. He finished with 704 wickets in 188 Tests, the most by any pace bowler in history and behind only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708). Anderson is also England’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs with 269 wickets in 194 matches.
Even after his Test farewell at Lord’s, Anderson continued to inspire younger players through domestic cricket. He represented Lancashire and Manchester Originals in The Hundred, marking a memorable T20 comeback in 2024 that helped his county reach Finals Day at Edgbaston.
Adding to his legacy, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced that the England–India Test series trophy will henceforth be named the Tendulkar–Anderson Trophy — a tribute to two icons whose careers symbolised excellence, longevity, and mutual respect across eras.
Known for his mastery of swing and his relentless pursuit of perfection, Anderson’s knighthood is a fitting capstone to a career defined by precision, professionalism, and poise. For the “King of Swing,” the title of “Sir James” is not just royal recognition — it’s a reflection of his enduring reign over cricket’s toughest art.
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