Former England captain Alastair Cook knighted

(UNI) After retiring from international cricket in September this year,
former England captain Alastair Cook has been knighted in the New Year’s Honours.
Cook played his last Test against India at The Oval, ending his glorious 12-year
career on high with a memorable hundred in his final innings. He walked away leaving
behind a legacy and a number of records to his name.
To name a few, he has played the most number of Tests for his country – 161 – and
also holds the record for being their longest reigning captain, skippering the side in
59 Tests. With 12472 runs, he is also the highest run-getter in England’s Test history
with the most number of centuries for his side – 33.
Earlier, Cook was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in
2011 and five years later with a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
He has now become the first English player since Sir Ian Botham, who was
honoured 11 years ago, to receive a knighthood, an ICC report on Saturday said.
Cook was among the four people associated with the sport to receive a New Year’s
Honour. One of England Women’s all-time greats, Enid Bakewell, has received an MBE,
while Alvin Kallicharran and Peter Wynne-Thomas have both been honoured with a
British Empire Medal.