England legend Jimmy Anderson receives knighthood

England cricketing legend, Jimmy Anderson, now known as Sir James Michael Anderson OBE, has received a knighthood for his services to cricket in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chairman, Richard Thompson spoke of how this prestigious honour “is fitting recognition for a true world-great who has given so much to the game on and off the field.”

Where to begin with Anderson’s record-breaking, wicket-toppling, career? He played for Burnley Cricket Club in his childhood before signing for Lancashire, debuting for the ‘Red Rose’ in 2001. After playing just three one-day games for the side, Anderson was brought into England’s one-day squad, making his international debut in December 2002 against rivals Australia. Jimmy was a cover for Andy Caddick and did not even possess a shirt with his name or a number, but this did not hinder him from conceding a mere 12 runs in 10 overs in Adelaide. World Cup spot earned, Jimmy then proceeded to bowl a match-winning spell against Pakistan, but faced challenges win the last over against Australia.

Anderson’s early England career did not come without hardships

He made his Test cricket debut at Lord’s Cricket Ground in 2003 against Zimbabwe, where he took five wickets in the first innings, foreshadowing how the Test form would become Anderson’s best. The right arm fast medium bowler achieved an England record of 704 wickets in 188 Tests in his 21-year Test career, meaning that he is the third player and first fast bowler to seize 700 Test wickets. Jimmy Anderson is thoroughly deserving of his knighthood. His final Test match was a cyclical moment in his career, playing against the West Indies in July 2024 at Lord’s, where he debuted at 20 years old.

Anderson’s early England career did not come without hardships, a common storyline for the true sporting greats. He suffered from a stress fracture in his back when changing his bowling action, resulting in him playing just one Test match between August 2004 and March 2006. However, this injury was only a temporary setback as he took 7 for 43 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in 2007-08 and this summer of cricket awarded Anderson with being named in ‘Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year’.

Anderson is an England cricketing legend and widely regarded as being one of the all-time greats

After winning the Ashes with England an astounding four times in his career, which is perhaps the most heated cricket rivalry in the world, it is no surprise that Anderson chose the first Ashes Test against Australia in 2013 as his favourite – he took 10 wickets in a ‘heart-stopping 14-run win’. Anderson stated, “It’s the best game I’ve had for England.”

He certainly mastered his craft, learning to bowl an in-swinger to a right-hander and an out-swinger to a left-hander, aiding him in achieving many dot balls and maidens throughout his career.

Ultimately, Sir James Anderson is an England cricketing legend and widely regarded as being one of the all-time greats in both England and world. The knighthood awarded to him for his services to cricket is a fitting recognition of his skill and hard work which will continue to inspire generations of cricketers.